Man serves one month in jail for theft spree in Cork

Multiple shoplifting crimes in Cork city centre resulted in a 25-year-old man getting a one-month prison sentence, which the young man has effectively served already.

Judge William Aylmer imposed a three-month prison sentence with the last two months suspended, and backdated the one month of imprisonment by one month in recognition of the period of time already served by Jimmy Leahy, of no fixed address.

This will result in the accused being released from prison, with a two-month sentence suspended for him to comply with the directions of the Probation Service.

The defendant pleaded guilty to multiple shoplifting convictions — where meat products were mainly targeted in thefts which took place between September 2024 and May of this year.

At Lidl in Cornmarket St, he stole three bottles of vodka valued €75 in total.

He snatched €42 worth of meat at Tesco Express on South Main St.

He took two bottles of wine and two legs of lamb valued €49 from Centra on Shandon St.

At Tesco on Paul St, he stole eight steaks, an electric shaver, two hair straighteners, washing pods, two bottles of wine and an electric grill, with a total value of €352.

At Marks and Spencer, he took three trays of fresh meat valued at €68. He committed other shoplifting offences at TK Maxx, Elvery’s Sports, and Aldi in Bishopstown.

He left Tesco Express on South Main St without paying for nine steaks and alcohol that were valued at over €100.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the accused had 60 previous convictions, including 11 for theft and two for handling stolen property.

Diarmuid Kelleher, defence solicitor, said: “He is still only 25. He fell into homelessness. He took to taking substances to ease his pain — tablets, alcohol, and on to heroin. He was trying to get on the methadone programme, but could not get onto it. He was doing anything to get any kind of street heroin. He made no bones about it.

“He was finally put on methadone in Cork Prison.”

Judge Aylmer took recommendations of the Probation Service into consideration in reaching his decision.