Man jailed after stealing €1,200 worth of Lego from Smyths

Olivia Kelleher

A father of nine has been jailed for six months for stealing more than €1,200 worth of Lego from a branch of Smyths in Cork last month.

John McDonagh (51), of Ashfield Close, Bremore, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to stealing four big Lego kits from Smyths in Cork on September 10th. The sets had a retail value of €1,240.

Judge Olann Kelleher heard that Mr McDonagh was on a trip to Cork and had gone drinking with a friend when the theft occurred.

He went to a Smyths toy shop on Kinsale Road and stole four large Lego sets from the shelves.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly told Judge Olann Kelleher that McDonagh had experienced a great deal of tragedy and loss.

He said his client went to the store after drinking and in a “highly intoxicated” state, adding that McDonagh had “no reasonable excuse or rational explanation” for stealing the Lego.

The store was not at a loss, as the Lego kits were recovered by security staff on the day of the offence, the court heard.

Sergeant John Kelleher said McDonagh has over 170 previous convictions, including convictions for burglary, theft and making off without paying for a service.

Judge Kelleher jailed the man for six months.