Man who shoplifted dresses ‘does not have a problem’

A bearded 39-year-old man was in court yesterday to appeal two concurrent four-month jail sentences for the theft of items including dresses and perfume. The Circuit Court judge in the case said the man appeared to be targeting women’s clothing and asked: “Has he a problem?”

Jason Nagle appealed two concurrent four-month jail sentences at Cork Circuit Appeals Court yesterday.

The thefts were both committed at Debenhams on Patrick Street, Cork, on April 17. €350 worth of property was taken from the Coast section within the department store and €182 worth of goods were stolen elsewhere.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “Included in what he took were ladies’ dresses apparently.” State solicitor Frank Nyhan added: “Perfumes and dresses.”

The judge asked defence solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher, if Nagle had some kind of problem. Mr Kelleher said there was no such problem and suggested the items were stolen to be sold for a profit.

Judge Ó Donnabháin said: “It is hard to see him kitted out in a lady’s dress, even with the perfume.”

Nagle, of 7 Eason’s Ave, Shandon, Cork, had convictions going back to 1992 and Mr Kelleher said he was in and out of jail from age 19.

“In recent times he was not in so much trouble. This (the two counts of shoplifting) was a lapse,” he said.

Mr Kelleher said Nagle suffered a bad knee injury in a serious assault years ago and this was aggravated by a more recent assault for which he was receiving ongoing medical attention.

Judge Ó Donnabháin affirmed the order of the district court leaving Nagle to commence his four-month jail term yesterday.