No jail for theft of €500 TV

A man with psychiatric difficulties who stole a €500 flatscreen television from a Tesco outlet was given a suspended jail sentence as the judge warned he could not hide behind his depression to avoid jail.

Judge Olann Kelleher noted that the man had not been able to raise any compensation for the thefts he carried out and was unable to work. The judge said he had considered giving Connie O’Donoghue, aged 28, of 9 St Anthony’s Park, Knocknaheeny, Cork, a community service order.

Following submissions from Frank Buttimer, defending, about self-harm, admissions to the psychiatric unit of a hospital, and anti-depressive medication to control O’Donoghue’s problems, Judge Kelleher said he would impose a six-month jail term