Judge tells Corkman that 'wishy washy' attitude to probation service is not good enough

“Wishy washy” engagement with the probation service was not going to help a 47-year-old man facing sentencing for several thefts, a district court judge said.

Ciaran O’Regan of 19 Oak View, Classes Lake, Ballincollig, appeared before Cork District Court for sentencing but did not turn up at his last appointment with his probation officer because he was sick.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said: “He instructs me he was ill.” 

Judge John King clarified this as being that “he may have been ill.” 

Mr Cuddigan joked: “I did not follow him with a thermometer.” 

Mr O’Regan spoke up and said: “I was really under the weather.” 

Judge King said: “He would not want to be coming before the court with a wishy washy report saying my heart is in the right place but I haven’t done anything about it.” 

He said the added difficulty was that it was not just one theft, but several, and he still had not undertaken residential treatment for his alcohol problems.

Judge King agreed to put it back until April 20 for a probation report with which the accused must be “fully engaged.” 

Ciaran O’Regan pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol from Applegreen in Ovens, Texaco on Model Farm Road, Centra at Victoria Cross and another theft of alcohol from a Maxol station, all committed in 2024 on various dates between March and July.