‘I did that — I’ll give you that one,’ says Cork woman in court on several shoplifting offences

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025 - 19:40

Liam Heylin

A 56-year-old Fermoy woman, who replied that she was not guilty to several shoplifting offences replied to the arresting garda in respect of one count yesterday: “I did that — I’ll give you that one.”

Garda Jim Smiddy charged Grainne O’Connor of 6 Ard Abhainn, Carrignagroghera, Fermoy, with carrying out thefts at stores mainly in shopping areas in Blackpool and Mahon.

Garda Smiddy gave evidence at Cork District Court and in response to charge after charge, the reply was the same: “Not guilty”.

However, in respect of one recent offence there was a different reply. It related to B&Q at Mahon retail park on September 2 where she was charged with stealing tools, valued €867, and the reply to Garda Smiddy was: “I did that — I’ll give you that one.”

There was no prosecution objection to the accused being remanded on bail. However, she was required to commit no offences, sign three times weekly at Fermoy Garda Station, and to stay out of shopping centres at Mahon Point, Blackpool, Douglas and Douglas Court, and to stay out of retail parks at Blackpool and Mahon Point. On the application of Sergeant Gearóid Davis, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case to October 14 at Cork District Court to allow time for directions.

Charges of shoplifting run from November last year to this month.

Ms O’Connor is charged with counts alleging that on: November 27, 2024 she stole three items of clothing at Frasers, Mahon Point shopping centre; May 24 this year at Dunnes Stores, Blackpool shopping centre, stealing alcohol valued €212; July 26: stealing packets of razors from Boots pharmacy at Mahon Point shopping centre; August 6: at Scally’s Supervalu, shoplifting; August 8: at Dunnes Stores, Douglas Court shopping centre, stealing €251 worth of property; August 8: stealing power tools from B&Q at Mahon retail park; September 2: at the same location stealing more tools, valued €867; and September 6 at JD Sports, Blackpool retail park, stealing €165 of clothing.