Man who stole alcohol from Cork Centra store claimed it was free because of St Patrick's Day

Judge Philip O’Leary said that it wasn’t even St Patrick’s Day, as offence occured on March 18

Sergeant John Kelleher said there was a reported theft at 10am on March 18 from Centra on South Douglas Road, Cork.

A man “dying of a hangover” helped himself to alcohol in a local shop without paying for it, claiming everything was free because of St Patrick’s Day.

Nelson Jumbo, of no fixed address in Cork city, is now starting a five-month prison term for this theft, several other counts of shoplifting, and one charge of being threatening and abusive to gardaí.

Sergeant John Kelleher said there was a reported theft at 10am on March 18 from Centra on South Douglas Road, Cork.

Garda Kate Kelly arrested Jumbo, aged 33, nearby and questioned him about the matter and he replied: “I went in there to take alcohol because I’m dying of a hangover."

He added that he did not pay for any of the items, adding, “It’s St Patrick’s Day — everything is free.” Even allowing for the illogicality of this position taken by Jumbo, Judge Philip O’Leary said that it wasn’t even St Patrick’s Day, it was the day after.

The defendant stole four cans of beer valued at €11.70 from the Centra store on March 18.

On February 2, he stole a similar quantity of beer at Tesco on Paul St.

He then stole a €22 bottle of champagne at Aldi, The Elysian, on February 16.

Jumbo stole beer at Supervalu in Bellevue, Mallow, on April 28.

Sgt Kelleher said that on July 26 on Washington St, Cork, gardaí encountered Jumbo shortly before 8pm and he was sticking up his middle finger at them repeatedly. He was very intoxicated, shouting and calling them c***s. He pleaded guilty to being drunk and a danger and engaging in threatening behaviour arising out of this incident.

There were further shoplifting incidents more recently to which the defendant also pleaded guilty.

On August 24, he stole flowers at Dunnes Stores on Merchants Quay, Cork.

Three days later, he stole a €35 jacket at Oxfam.

Then, on September 4, he stole a €185 jacket at Marks and Spencer, Merchants Quay.

Joseph Cuddigan solicitor said: “Originally he came to this country as a refugee. Unfortunately, he has an alcohol difficulty. In his favour he has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He did not cause any additional difficulty to the gardaí or people from whom he took property.”