Judge tells Cork man his fate lies in his own hands

A middle-aged Cork man’s fate is in his own hands, a sentencing judge told him, as she urged him to co-operate with the probation service and address his addiction difficulties if he wanted to avoid jail.

Anthony Morey, aged 56, of Coppinger’s Acre, Bantry Park Rd, Fair Hill, who had numerous previous theft convictions, pleaded guilty to more theft-related offences at Cork District Court.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said: “He is a 56-year-old man living in supported accommodation for a number of years. Clearly, he has mental health difficulties — whether from his youth, or from addiction difficulties, or a combination of both, I cannot say.

“He has had in-patient and out-patient care for mental health issues. The probation report seems to say that if addiction is addressed, everything else should follow. He would willingly co-operate with probation. They do regard him as high risk of re-offending, and I would not challenge that. But this will be addressed by addressing his addiction difficulties.”

Judge Catherine Ryan said: “A man with his issues in a prison setting would be very difficult.”

Mr Buttimer asked for an adjournment of four to eight weeks for him to address compensation and to see how he gets on.

Judge Ryan agreed that this might help, adding that, if the case was finalised now, it might be by way of a custodial sentence because he had so many previous convictions for theft.

“I will put it back until July 22. It is in your hands. If there is progress between now and then, if you co-operate with probation, there may be some scope for the court to do something other than custody.”

On February 19, at Brown Thomas, Morey selected two garments valued at over €400, and placed them in a backpack he was carrying.

He was approached by security staff and later by gardaí, who were called to the scene.

Morey handed over a pair of pliers which he was using to remove security tags from property.

One of the items of clothing had the security tag removed and the item was damaged and could not be sold.

On February 14, he took a €132 bottle of YSL perfume from the shelf at Brown Thomas.

On October 8, 2025, he stole two sets of knives, valued at €160, at Homesense on Grand Parade, Cork.

He also stole €100 worth of Nike clothing from Lifestyle Sports in their nearby on the same date.