Man given four month jail term for theft of alcohol from two Cork outlets

A four-month jail term was imposed on a man who stole alcohol from Top Oil on the South Link Rd, and from Aldi on Eglinton St, Cork — with both thefts on the same day.

William O’Driscoll, aged 41, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offences in which he put the bottles of alcohol down his pants in each premises and walked out without paying.

At the Aldi on Eglinton St, on August 17, he stole a bottle of whiskey valued at €22.

On the same date, he stole two bottles of white wine at Top Oil, South Link Rd. 

Later in the day, gardaí found him stumbling out in front of traffic at Patrick’s St, Cork.

The accused had 259 previous convictions, of which 45 were for theft.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said the accused turned to alcohol arising out of the loss of family contact. 

After efforts to rehabilitate, Mr O’Driscoll hopes to go to Dublin — where his partner and children are living.

Mr Buttimer said: “He accepts he is going to get a custodial sentence. I would ask you to take into consideration his plea of guilty to the charges and his meaningful efforts at rehabilitation.”

Imposing the sentence, Judge Dorgan said: “You would get your life back on track if you managed to stay off alcohol. I wish you well. I hope you manage your alcohol problem.”

The four-month sentence was backdated to August 18, as the defendant has been in custody since that date.