Man with 183 convictions left Lidl with stolen beer cans down his pants

Accused threatened staff who thwarted his escape

Lidl staff confronted the accused as he tried to leave the store in Mallow, Co Cork. File picture: Denis Minihane

A man who tried to smuggle stolen beer cans out of a Lidl supermarket by shoving them down his pants was thwarted by staff as he tried to make his escape.

Sergeant Linda O’Leary told Mallow District Court that John O’Leary, aged 34, of Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee, Co Kerry, was observed taking beer cans from Lidl in Mallow, Co Cork, on August 4, 2025, at 12.14 in the afternoon. O’Leary shoved the cans valued at €17.46 down his pants and walked out of the store.