Serial shoplifter who stole alcohol and meat from several Cork supermarkets jailed for a month

Accused left Tesco Express on South Main Street without paying for nine steaks and alcohol valued at over €100, court told. File picture

A 25-year-old man was given a one-month prison for multiple shoplifting crimes in Cork city centre.

Judge William Aylmer imposed a three-month prison sentence, with the last two months suspended, and backdated the one month of imprisonment by one month in recognition of the period of time already served by Jimmy Leahy, of no fixed address.

This will result in the accused being released from prison with a two-month sentence suspended, so he can comply with the directions of the probation service.

The defendant pleaded guilty to multiple shoplifting convictions — where he mainly targeted meat products — in thefts which ranged from September 2024 to May of this year.

At Lidl, Cornmarket Street he stole three bottles of vodka, valued €75.

He snatched €42 worth of meat at Tesco Express on South Main Street.

He took two bottles of wine and two legs of lamb valued €49 from Centra, Shandon Street.

At Tesco, Paul Street, he stole eight steaks, an electric shaver, two hair straighteners, washing pods, two bottles of wine and an electric grill with a total value of €352.

At Marks & Spencer, he took three trays of fresh meat valued €68.

He committed other shoplifting offences at TK Maxx, Elvery’s Sports, and Aldi, Bishopstown.

He left Tesco Express on South Main Street without paying for nine steaks and alcohol valued at over €100.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the accused had 60 previous convictions, including 11 for theft and two for handling stolen property.

Diarmuid Kelleher, defence, solicitor said: “He is still only 25. He fell into homelessness. He took to taking substances to ease his pain — tablets, alcohol and on to heroin. He was trying to get on the methadone programme but could not get on to it. He was doing anything to get any kind of street heroin. He made no bones about it. He was finally put on methadone in Cork prison.

Judge Aylmer took recommendations of the probation service into consideration in reaching his decision.