‘Street tablets’ addiction led to theft from Kinsale store, court told

A Cork woman who became addicted to “street tablets” admitted stealing repeatedly from her employer in Kinsale, the district court has heard.

Inspector Kay O’Donoghue told Kinsale District Court sitting in Bandon that Claire Crone, aged 46, of Chestnut Close, Cluain Ard, Cobh, was pleading guilty to seven counts of theft from the Eurospar supermarket, Pearse St, Kinsale, her former place of work.

Crone admitted that on September 1, 2024, she stole €10 from the till at the store and on September 2, 2024, and September 8, 2024, she again stole €10 from the till on each occasion.

On October 8, 2024, Crone stole Monster drinks valued at €8 and on October 28, 2024, she stole five BuzzBallz alcoholic drinks valued at €25. On November 9, 2024, she again stole BuzzBallz alcoholic drinks and Freeway sandwiches valued at €10.

The final theft occurred on November 18, 2024, when she again stole five BuzzBallz alcoholic drinks valued at €25.

Plunkett Taaffe, defending, said Crone had endured traumatic events in her life leading up to the thefts and had no previous convictions prior to the stealing spree. He said she had been on prescription medication and had begun supplementing this with “street tablets”, to which she had become addicted.

The court heard her employer was willing to deal with the matter through internal disciplinary procedures, allowing her to keep her job, but Crone had resigned when the thefts became known and was now working as a cleaner. Mr Taaffe said Crone had compensated her former employer and was engaging with support services.

Judge Andrew Cody said the seven thefts totalled less than €100 and were more of a “nuisance type” that all occurred roughly in a one-month period. He noted the injured party was reimbursed and that Crone had no previous convictions.

Crone was convicted of one count of theft, sentenced to one month in custody, suspended for two years, and fined €300 with six months to pay.

The remaining six charges were taken into consideration and recognisance for appeal was fixed at €200, with €100 required in cash.

• This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme