Cork dad with drink issue spent Christmas in jail

A father of four who spent Christmas in prison because of his own persistent drunken behaviour and shoplifting accepted that he only had himself to blame.

Judge Mary Dorgan acknowledged that spending Christmas in prison was particularly hard for the 34-year-old and for his family.

A five-month prison sentence hanging over John McDonagh of Bay 2, halting site, Mahon, Cork, was activated on December 19.

Yesterday he was back before Cork District Court, pleading guilty to several counts of theft and other charges under the Public Order Act. Judge Dorgan imposed a sentence of six months on him and expressed the hope that he would start to rehabilitate in relation to his drink issues.

Mr McDonagh said that he had commenced meetings in prison and would seek help.

His solicitor, Shane Collins-Daly, said the young man had a drink problem that had escalated to the point that he was drinking vodka straight from the bottle.

Between November 16 and December 18, 2024, he carried out the various offences.

He stole €123 worth of property at Boots in Merchants Quay and €43 worth of alcohol from Centra on Patrick Street.

He stole a €949 iPhone 15 from Eir on Patrick Street, an €80 jacket from JD Sports nearby, and a pair of wireless earphones worth €100 at Golden Discs on Patrick Street.

McDonagh was arrested on December 18 for being drunk and threatening on St Patrick’s Street, Cork.

In an earlier incident on May 30, 2024, he stole €180 headphones from TechStar in Douglas Village shopping centre, and €43 worth of clothing from Penney’s on St Patrick’s Street on May 2.

Also in May, he stole three Louis Vuitton handbags from Brown Thomas with a total value of €2,397.

Judge Dorgan on Friday imposed a total sentence of six months’ imprisonment on McDonagh.

Sergeant Dave Delea said that the accused had 112 previous convictions, of which 44 were for theft.