Cork woman denies handling stolen hanging baskets fitted with tracking device

The woman faces a charge of possession of stolen flower baskets — each valued at €30. File picture: Denis Minihane

A 45-year-old woman is pleading not guilty to handling stolen property in a case where a community group put a tracking device into a hanging basket of flowers because of previous baskets going missing.

The case was adjourned until today in relation to Mary O’Driscoll of 18 Brookhill, Ballea Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork, to allow time for prosecution statements to be sent to the defence.

Ms O’Driscoll faces a charge of possession of six stolen flower baskets — each valued at €30.

Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said: “She is pleading not guilty.”

 On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case to Court 3 at Cork District Court on May 21 when a date will be fixed for a hearing of the case.

Judge Dorgan was previously told that between May 29 and May 31, 2023, six hanging baskets and flowers were stolen from Inch, Killeagh, Co Cork. They were valued at €180.

Due to something similar that happened the year before, members of the local community who put up the baskets put an Apple tracker into one of the baskets.

It is alleged that the tracker gave its location as being at Ms O’Driscoll’s address.

Gardaí obtained a warrant to search her property and found all six baskets and the tracking device at her home, it was alleged.

She was prosecuted for being in possession of the baskets, knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen.