Woman who stole mug from Cork store 'did not intend to', court told
The court was told the accused had struggled with depression and anxiety. File picture: Andy Gibson
A woman who admitted stealing a mug from a homewares store in a Cork shopping centre had no intention of stealing it, the district court was told.
Sergeant Eimear O’Connell said that Niamh Morley, aged 35 of Fairfield View, Upper Fairhill, Cork, had gone to the Riverview Shopping Centre on August 20, 2025, and went into the Homefront homewares store at 2.20pm.
Bandon District Court heard that Morley picked up a Stanley transit mug valued at €40 and left the store with it without paying.
Morley was identified via CCTV footage, was arrested, made admissions, and pleaded guilty to a single count of theft. The court heard that the mug was returned to the store and that Morley had four previous convictions, all for theft.
Defence solicitor Diane Hallahan said that Morley had gone to Bandon to visit a healer.
She said that her client drove back the next day and returned to mug to the shop. Ms Hallahan said that when Morley went into the shop she had no intention of stealing the mug but when she saw it she picked it up. She said that Morley had no money and it was her son’s birthday at the time.
The court was told that Morley had no addiction problems but had struggled with depression and that her young child was due to undergo surgery which was causing her anxiety. The court heard that Morley was now settled in a home of her own for the first time and was now on mediation prescribed by her GP.
Judge Joanne Carroll said that it was clear Morley had difficult domestic circumstances and was undergoing treatment.
She added that Morley could not go into a shop and steal no matter what her domestic issue were. The judge said that she has to think about her children and who would look after them if she went to prison? Judge Carroll added: “She’s about to get another chance now, she has to take it.”
Morley was admitted to a probation bond for 12 months on condition that she attends counselling and engages with mental health services.
- This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
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