Cork woman who burgled city centre restaurant has jail term reduced 

A woman who burgled Scoozi’s restaurant in Cork city was just before 7am in the morning has had her prison sentence reduced, but with a six-month suspended sentence added.

Margaret Foley, aged 46, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to carrying out the crime and was sentenced to seven months at Cork District Court.

She came to Cork Circuit Appeals Court where her barrister John Colthurst appealed for some leniency, Mr Colthurst submitted that she has suffered addiction to illicit substances, and the offending tied into her addictions.

“It is strictly an appeal against the severity of the seven-month sentence — asking for it to be reduced. She was addicted to crack cocaine, heroin, and alcohol,” the barrister said.

Judge Sinéad Behan said the reality of the seven months appeared to be proportionate.

“It should be increased and partly suspended. I think for one offence after another, it is an appropriate sentence. There is a litany of offending, particularly the burglary.”

The judge said that she would increase the seven months to 12 months, but with the last six months suspended. As for the concurrent six-month sentences on the multiple shoplifting offences, those sentences remained.

In effect, this gives her one month less in jail. However, if she commits offences in the next 18 months, the six months suspended could be activated.

Burglary

Sergeant John Kelleher said the burglary at the restaurant on Winthrop Street, Cork, was carried out at 6.55am on November 1, 2024.

“The doorway was open for goods deliveries, and Margaret Foley entered and went to a staff area where she stole cash, bank cards, and cigarettes belonging to employees at the restaurant,” he stated.

“The stolen property was not recovered.”

Between that time and August 2025, the same woman carried out shoplifting offences at premises including Spar on Patrick St, Elvery Sports on Oliver Plunkett St, Dunnes at Merchants Quay, North Face on Patrick St, Centra on Oliver Plunkett St, and Boots pharmacy on Patrick St.

Sgt Kelleher said the woman had 158 previous convictions, including 61 for theft and four for burglary, and 36 for being so intoxicated that she was a danger to herself or others.