Woman jailed for 'quite staggering' number of shoplifting offences around Cork City

Accused pleaded guilty to multiple theft offences, as well as a number of charges of being intoxicated to such an extent she was a danger to herself or others

The defendant stole alcohol, an air fryer and a coffee machine from Tesco on Paul Street on various dates. Picture: Denis Minihane

A “quite staggering” amount of shoplifting offences in and around Cork City saw a 27-year-old woman jailed for six months.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a sentence of nine months, with the last three months suspended, on Mary Connors of Cork Simon Community.

“There is a huge amount of offending before the court — it is quite staggering,” Judge Dorgan said.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said Ms Connors was pleading guilty to all charges against her and asked for the sentence of nine months, with last three months suspended, to be backdated to August 23.

Judge Dorgan agreed to back date the sentence as the accused has been in custody since that date.

Mary Connors pleaded guilty to multiple theft offences, as well as a number of charges of being intoxicated to such an extent she was a danger to herself or others. One theft dated back to November last year but all other counts related to this year.

• On November 19, 2024, at Dealz, Grand Parade, she stole €350 worth of items and was handling €750 of stolen property from other stores;
• On April 15, 2025, she stole €150 of alcohol from Tesco, Paul Street;
• On June 17, she stole €350 worth of clothing at JD Sports at Mahon Point shopping centre;
• On June 30, she was caught shoplifting at the deli counter of Centra on North Main Street;
• Three days later, she stole €250 of property, including an air fryer and a coffee machine at Tesco, Paul Street;
• On August 5, she stole €593 worth of cosmetics from Brown Thomas;
• On August 22, she stole €175 worth of property at Chemist Warehouse, Cornmarket Street;
• The following day she stole €176 worth of bed clothes from Next, Opera Lane. On the same date, she was caught with a pliers and tinfoil to assist in the carrying out of thefts.

And Mary Connors also admitted several counts of being so drunk that she was a danger to herself or others on various dates.