Single man's Christmas Day food theft was one of many similar offences

Shoplifting on Christmas Day was one of the offences to which a 40-year-old man pleaded guilty and now he has been sentenced to a total of seven months for this and a litany of similar crimes.

Judge David Waters imposed the sentence on Shane Murphy of 213 Comeragh Park, The Glen, at Cork District Court.

Sergeant David Fleming said that on Christmas Day 2025 he stole a small amount of food from Spar on Douglas Street.

There were other shoplifting incidents that also related to items of low value but there were several more where the value of the stolen property was high.

“These high value items were presumably for re-sale,” Judge Waters said. Mr Murphy stole several electric toothbrushes.

Frank Buttimer solicitor said: “He is single. Regrettably, he is estranged from his family and has a lot of addictions and while he has had periods of rehabilitation he has not been doing well recently.” 

Sgt Fleming outlined the catalogue of thefts, including small items and more valuable ones.

On April 14 he stole €10 worth of ice creams and chocolate bars at Centra on Oliver Plunkett Street. 

On April 23 he stole a Magnum ice cream at Centra, North Main Street.

He was found to be drunk and a danger on May 2, and on May 24 he handled two jars of stolen Manuka honey, valued a total of €310. He was begging on St Patrick’s bridge, obstructing the passage of pedestrians on May 29.

On July 25 at Mr Price at Westside Retail Park in Ballincollig, Shane Murphy stole €100 worth of groceries. On July 31 he stole €373 worth of electrical items from Boots chemist at Douglas Shopping Centre. The following day he returned and stole €177 worth of electrical items.

On August 21 he stole a €190 toothbrush at Dunnes Stores in Douglas Court. The same day he stole a Braun electric toothbrush costing €199. The next day he stole another one. On August 28 he returned and stole €40 Lenor beads.

Finally, on September 3 he was drunk and a danger at St Patrick’s Street.