Kerry man broke into Cork pub and shop to steal alcohol

A 35-year-old Kerry man who broke into Wetherspoons Linen Weaver pub in Cork city at three o’clock in the morning to steal drink.

A nine-month jail term was imposed on a 35-year-old Kerry man who broke into Wetherspoons Linen Weaver pub in Cork city at three o’clock in the morning to steal drink, and then forced his way into a nearby store two hours later to steal beer.

Tony Coffey, of no fixed address in Cork and originally from Tralee, has now brought his total list of convictions to a total of 300.

Before now, five of his convictions were for burglary, 79 were for theft, and 117 of them were for being drunk and a danger to himself or others.

Eddie Burke, defence solicitor, said the accused pleaded guilty as soon as possible.

The two burglary charges relate to the early hours of Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Garda David Murphy said that after 3am on that date the accused went to a side door of the Linen Weaver pub, on Paul Street, Cork. He entered and stole three bottles of spirits valued at €150 — all of which was captured on CCTV.

After 5am on the same date at Herlihy’s Centra on St Patrick’s Street, there was a burglary by the same man seen prising open the front door with his hands. The premises was closed to the public at the time but there was a member of staff upstairs getting ready for the day ahead and the intruder stole eight cans of beer.

Mr Burke, solicitor, said the previous convictions of thefts and drunkenness spoke for themselves. However, Mr Burke said the accused was putting his time in prison to good use by attending Alcoholics Anonymous and trying to tackle his underlying issues.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a nine-month sentence on the defendant.