Serial shoplifter jailed after recent spree in Cork city

A 36-year-old woman who was caught shoplifting 172 times has been jailed for nine months for yet another crime spree in Cork city.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed that sentence on Margaret Deasy, of Cork Simon Community, at Cork District Court.

After hearing an outline of the various offences committed by Deasy, Judge Dorgan said: “I am looking at a crime spree within a short number of days — it is not good.”

In one of the thefts, the accused was involved in an assault on a member of staff at Tesco.

Judge Dorgan asked if the accused had anything to say now.

“She is sorry and she wishes to apologise. She does recognise the trauma she inflicted on the girl working in Tesco,” defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said.

He added that the accused was very badly beaten by another resident of Cork Simon wielding a vodka bottle.

Mr Cuddigan complained about the large number of people presently incarcerated at Limerick Prison where Margaret Deasy is at the moment.

“She is not well served by overcrowding in Limerick Prison,” he said. “If she was out, she could avail of support services.”

Judge Dorgan said that, in light of previous convictions and the crime spree in the present cases, the appropriate sentence was one of nine months — consisting of various consecutive sentences.

Deasy stole three handbags worth a total of €4,250 from Brown Thomas in Cork, along with €1,683 worth of cosmetics from Boots pharmacy, Douglas Court Shopping Centre.

At Tesco, Paul St, she stole two bottles of alcohol valued €67.

When confronted by a member of staff, one bottle was recovered.

She committed a similar crime there involving €48 worth of alcohol on another occasion.

“When attempting to retrieve the second bottle of alcohol, the accused grabbed the manager on the left wrist causing a slight bruise,” Sergeant Gearóid Davis said.

The same defendant smashed three windows in a separate incident elsewhere, causing €500 damage. She also stole groceries valued €136 at Supervalu, Togher Rd, Cork, and €120 worth of items from Spar, Douglas St.

Most of the new offences before the court were committed within a few days of each other in February.