Cork man's 19 shoplifting offences 'one of the worst we have seen', judge says

Accused, who has 39 previous convictions, pleading guilty to the thefts

Accused is required to stay away from Mahon Point and Blackpool shopping centres, where many of the thefts were committed. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM 

A judge at Cork District Court said a man’s plea of guilty to 19 separate shoplifting offences — many of them relating to property worth several hundred euro — was one of the worst to come before the court.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a series of consecutive sentences totaling 15 months on 30-year-old James McDonagh.