Woman caught on CCTV stealing from Cork café

A woman who was caught stealing property from a cafe in Coachford, Co Cork, has pleaded guilty to one count of theft and one count of possession of stolen property.

Sergeant Trish O’Sullivan told Macroom District Court that the owner of the Boat House Cafe on Main Street in Coachford reported the incident on July 13, 2024, at 2pm.

The court heard that a woman — later identified as Emma O’Mahony, aged 30, with an address at The Log Cabins, Coachford, Co Cork — entered the cafe and took two bracelets that were left on a table, as well as a ceramic cup, before leaving the premises.

The court was told that O’Mahony later returned the bracelets but did not return the cup that was valued at €25, and denied taking it at the time.

O’Mahony was identified by CCTV video on which she can be seem taking the cup.

CHARGED

She was charged with the theft of the cup and also charged with possession of the bracelets which she later returned, and pleaded guilty to both charges.

Defence solicitor, Patrick Goold, said O’Mahony had been in drug addiction treatment and had come to court with her father who had brought €100 in compensation for the theft.

Mr Goold said his client suffered from drug addiction and had been off drugs for eight months.

The court was told O’Mahony was co-operating with the Probation Service and there had been “a major change” in her since she had begun attending addiction services.

Judge Joanne Carroll said that €50 was a sufficient amount for compensation.

On the theft charge, she admitted O’Mahony to a probation bond for 12 months on condition that she attends all appointments and attends drug treatment services as directed.

The possession of stolen property charge was taken into consideration.

• Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.