Corkman sent to jail for shoplifting hopes to use time to get off drugs

The court heard the defendant 'had a severe drug and alcohol problem. He was living on the streets with all the associated difficulties at the time.'

The judge said that in all the circumstances, including the previous convictions, the judge imposed a five-month prison sentence. File picture

A 32-year-old man was jailed for five months for three counts of shoplifting which brought his total number of theft convictions to 40.

Eddie O’Donoghue of no fixed address pleaded guilty to the three charges against him at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the first charge related to April 16, 2023, at Tesco on Paul Street, Cork, where he stole a €34 bottle of vodka. The following day, Mr O’Donoghue stole another bottle of vodka priced €29 at Dunnes Stores in Merchants Quay.

Then on April 20, 2023, the same man went to JD Sports in Cork City and stole a jacket and pants valued at €145. In that instant he concealed the property under his own clothing and left without paying.

The defendant had 111 previous convictions, of which 37 were for theft, two for robbery and two for handling stolen property.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said: “He had a severe drug and alcohol problem. He was living on the streets with all the associated difficulties at the time.

“Since he has going into prison he is clean and sober and going to drug counselling. He is going to school in prison and going to the gym and he is hoping to get accommodation outside the city on his release.

“He knows he has to get out of the scene he has been in for the last number of years.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “He presents as respectful and sober.” The judge said that in all the circumstances, including the previous convictions, the judge imposed a five-month prison sentence.