Jail for Cork man who nabbed parcels from doorsteps

A 52-year-old man who targeted parcels delivered to the front door of apartments has been jailed for eight months.

Judge Mary Dorgan said one of the thefts in particular was nasty, as the young woman was pregnant and her father had sent her €300 worth of baby clothes and items from the family for the pending arrival. The judge imposed a total sentence of eight months on David Jones who was living at an apartment at Grattan Court, Glanmire Rd, Cork.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said that on August 25, 2023, David Jones stole a pair of women’s boots valued €267 delivered in a package to the front door of another apartment at Grattan Court after 10.30am. At around the same time in the morning on August 30, 2024, he stole the package containing €300 worth of baby items.

On June 27 of this year, he stole an e-scooter, which had been locked at Kent Station.

Frank Buttimer said the accused is a father of seven and that he has health difficulties.

Judge Dorgan said in relation to the parcel of baby items that the theft of that would have been hugely upsetting.

“That was a nasty matter,” Judge Dorgan said. “When he has seven children himself, I hope he thinks about that because it was not nice.”

As for the theft of the scooter, the judge surmised that the owner may have been returning by train at night to find their scooter stolen, and that to begin with they would have had difficulty getting home.

The judge said that if the sentence was appealed, conditions would include staying away from apartment blocks and from Kent Station.