Jail for man who smashed potted plant after being confronted by security guards at Cork Tesco

A man stealing a potted plant from Tesco on Paul St in Cork was challenged by security staff and he reacted by smashing it on the floor of the supermarket, Cork District Court has heard.

The accused man, Ryan Kenefick, aged 22, of St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, has been jailed for seven months for that and for carrying out a break-in at a storage unit on a building site.

He pleaded guilty to both counts, and was sentenced by Judge Mary Dorgan.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said gardaí responded to a report that someone had broken into a storage container at Bishop Lucey Park on Grand Parade, where the area was cordoned off for building works.

The incident occurred on the night of September 9, 2024, when Ryan Kenefick broke a window and took a monitor to the value of €200, leaving blood at the scene.

Samples were taken from the scene, and a positive match was made for the defendant.

The criminal damage offence occurred on October 10, 2024, when the same man caused criminal damage to a pot plant in Tesco.

Sgt Davis said: “The defendant had been barred from the store. When asked to leave, he had a pot plant in his hand. He was asked to leave. He threw it on the ground, breaking it.

“He admitted this, but said he dropped it rather threw it.”

Daithí Ó Donnabháin, solicitor, said the common thread running through the offending was an addiction to alcohol, so much so that the accused had little recollection of committing the crimes.

Mr Ó Donnabháin asked Judge Dorgan to take particular note of the pleas of guilty, the defendant’s remorse, and the fact that he plans to co-operate with the Probation Service following his release from custody.