Cork man who stole steaks and razor blades jailed for five months

Man was already serving a suspended sentence

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025 - 16:56

Liam Heylin

Razor blades and steaks were among the items stolen by a man in a number of incidents of shoplifting in Cork city.

The man was jailed for five months with a further sentence suspended after his release.

Damien Coffey, ageed 31, of no fixed address and living at hostel accommodation in Cork city, pleaded guilty to all charges at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Dineen said the accused had 33 previous convictions including 14 for theft.

Frank Buttimer solicitor said the accused man wanted to clear the decks in relation to matters that are outstanding.

“The cases speak for themselves. He has fairly significant addiction difficulties. They had been addressed successfully but, unfortunately, in mid-2025 he regressed.

“He has been in hostel accommodation and was also living at Lower Glanmire Rd. He accepts there are a large number of offences,” Mr Buttimer said.

Judge John King said: “He has a history of offending. I will impose a sentence of five months backdated to September 30 when he went into custody.

“The aggravating factor is that he is on bail and on a suspended sentence. But given that he is making efforts to rehabilitate in custody I will also make a sentence of six months consecutive but suspended for two years from the time of the termination of the five-month sentence. He is to come under the probation service for 12 months post-release.”

The latest charges on which he was sentenced include that he stole five steaks valued €50 at Aldi, Mayfield, on July 19, 2024. On November 11, 2024, he stole €28 worth of fillet steaks at Supervalu on Togher Rd. He stole four packets of steaks valued €58 at Marks and Spencer, Merchants Quay, on August 12 this year. And on the same date he went to Teso on Paul St and stole €39 worth of razor blades.

On September 7 this year, he stole steaks valued €70 from Marks and Spencer, Merchants Quay.