Razor blades and steak among items stolen by man in Cork city

Razor blades and steaks were among the items stolen by a young man in a number of incidents of shoplifting carried out by a young man who was jailed for five months with a further sentence suspended after his release.

31-year-old Damien Coffey of no fixed address and living at hostel accommodation in Cork city pleaded guilty to all charges at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Dineen said the accused had 33 previous convictions including 14 for theft.

Frank Buttimer solicitor said the accused man wanted to clear the decks in relation to matters that are outstanding.

“The cases speak for themselves. He has fairly significant addiction difficulties. They had been addressed successfully but unfortunately in mid-2025 he regressed.

“He has been in hostel accommodation and was also living at Lower Glanmire Road. He accepts there are a large number of offences,” Mr Buttimer said.

Judge John King said: “He has a history of offending. I will impose a sentence of five months backdated to September 30 when he went into custody.

“The aggravating factor is that he is on bail and on a suspended sentence. But given that he is making efforts to rehabilitate in custody I will also make a sentence of six months consecutive but suspended for two years from the time of the termination of the five-month sentence. He is to come under the probation service for 12 months post-release.” 

The latest charges on which he was sentenced include the following:

• He stole five steaks valued €50 at Aldi, Mayfield, on July 19 2024.
• On November 11 2024 he stole €28 worth of fillet steaks at Supervalu on Togher Road.
• He stole four packets of steaks valued €58 at Marks and Spencer, Merchants Quay, on August 12 this year.
• On the same date he went to Tesco on Paul Street and stole €39 worth of razor blades.
• On September 7 this year he stole steaks valued €70 from Marks and Spencer, Merchants Quay.