Cork chef convicted of being drunk and a danger to himself and others for 44th time is jailed

Accused also convicted of stealing items including, hair gel, shower gel, deodorant, socks, books, De Walt drill-bits and the tip jars from the local Dino’s

Accused was sentenced to a total of six months, with the last two months suspended. File picture: Dan Linehan

A chef has been jailed following an incident where he was convicted of being drunk and a source of danger for the 44th time and for stealing items including, hair gel, shower gel, deodorant, socks, books, De Walt drill-bits and the tip jars from the local Dino’s.

Jamie Kavanagh, aged 30, of 21 Fernwalk, Greenfields, Ballincollig, Cork, was sentenced to a total of six months, with the last two months suspended by Judge Mary Dorgan at Cork District Court.

He pleaded guilty to a series of theft charges and the public order charges which arose out of an incident where he was intoxicated and a danger and was also threatening and abusive to gardaí.

Sergeant John Kelleher said this incident occurred on November 27, 2023, at Applegreen, Classis Lake, Ovens, Co Cork.

“Gardaí received a report at 5.25pm that day of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance at the premises.

“Gardaí attended the scene and observed Jamie Kavanagh, who was highly intoxicated and shouting at staff.

“He became verbally abusive to gardaí at a time when members of the public were present,” Sgt Kelleher said.

This was the 44th time this man was convicted of being so intoxicated he was a danger to himself or others. He was convicted 10 times previously for being threatening and abusive.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the accused man stared drinking heavily when working as a chef.

“When a crisis occurs he drinks and gets himself into difficulties. I remember when he was 18 he would go off the Garda radar for a period but then something would happen and he would come back on it.

“He was the victim of a very serious assault outside a bookmakers in Ballincollig. He was put on medication and, as he says himself, he never came off the medication. Generally, he does not give the gardaí any difficulties when they are dealing with him. He has two very supportive parents. None of the family was ever in court other than to support Jamie.

“He qualified as a chef and worked in major hotels in Cork and Killarney. As a result of that incident [the serious assault on him] he started drinking and did not stop. It was a Godsend that he was put in prison as he got off drink,” Mr Burke said.