Cork man who stole bank cards and prescription sunglasses jailed

A staff-only area of the Quay Co-Op premises on Sullivan’s Quay in Cork was entered by a man who stole the contents of a handbag, including prescription sunglasses and bank cards, a court has heard.

Detective Garda Joe Crowley said that two hours after this burglary, there was an attempt by the man to buy a pair of jeans using the bank cards at Timberland.

There were insufficient funds on a Revolut card, and a notification appeared on the owner’s phone.

This was when she checked her bag – only to discover that the contents had been stolen.

The owner alerted gardaí and John Campion, aged 36, of Cork Simon Community on Anderson’s Quay, was quickly identified from CCTV.

Mr Campion, who is originally from Mallow, pleaded guilty to the burglary and to attempting to use the bank card.

At a sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Det Garda Crowley said the accused had 109 previous convictions, including 20 for burglary. He added that while the accused does suffer from addiction issues, there have been substantial periods when he has managed to work full-time in construction and to stay out of trouble.

However, he relapsed around the time of this offence on December 17, 2025.

Paula McCarthy, defence barrister, said that it was an opportunistic type of offence, and that John Campion co-operated with the investigation.

Of particular concern to the owner was a pair of prescription sunglasses which had cost her over €600.

The defendant assisted in the retrieval of this item for the owner, telling gardaí where they could find them.

Ms McCarthy said he was on a methadone treatment programme in prison at the moment.

Judge Helen Boyle said: “I have no doubt that it was a huge inconvenience for her to have to cancel all of her cards in the week before Christmas when most people have a lot of shopping to do.”

The judge imposed a sentence of two years, with the last six months suspended.

The 18 months will be consecutive to a sentence he is already serving, as the crime was committed while on bail.