Judge dismisses 'unbelievable' claim by Cork man caught with de-tagger in sports shop

The defendant was ordered to do 60 hours of community service instead of three months in prison

Daniel Hanlon pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a metal de-tagger with intent to use it in connection with a theft on December 23, 2024, at a Sports Direct store in Cork. File picture

A district court judge described as ‘dochreidte’ a man’s claim that he did not know it was illegal to have a metal de-tagger in his possession in a sports store a couple of days before Christmas.

Judge Philip O’Leary said of 37-year-old Daniel Hanlon: “He said he did not understand it was illegal. I would describe that as dochreidte – it is unbelievable.” 

Defence solicitor Donal Daly said: “It was not a situation where he was going to steal €200 or €300 worth of clothing or anything like that.” 

Daniel Hanlon of 201 Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a metal de-tagger with intent to use it in connection with a theft on December 23, 2024, at Sports Direct, Blackpool retail park.

Mr Daly said that the defendant was not caught shoplifting or anything like that at the time, and that he was stopped for a drugs search and he handed over the de-tagger.

Garda Kate Sheehan said the defendant was fully co-operative with gardaí on the day and afterwards.

Inspector Brendan McKenna said the defendant had 73 previous convictions, including five counts of theft and two of robbery.

Mr Daly said at Cork District Court that the accused had been out of trouble since 2021.

Judge O’Leary ordered the defendant to do 60 hours of community service instead of three months in prison.