Man left Cork shop without paying for vodka after cashier refused to take bloodstained bank note

Solicitor Joseph Cuddigan told the court that the accused was anxious to return to employment.

A bloodstained bank note was handed across a counter to pay for vodka and cigarettes and when the cash was refused because of its condition a man walked out of the store with the property anyway.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the incident occurred at Herlihy’s Centra on Grand Parade in Cork city where the 28-year-old picked up a bottle of vodka and cigarettes and handed over the bloodstained bank note which was refused by the cashier. The culprit walked out with the goods in any event on September 8.

He was apprehended outside by gardaí and the property was recovered in a resaleable condition, Sgt Davis said.

The same man — Daniel Ciemiega of no fixed address — was intoxicated and a danger earlier that day at 3am on Carroll’s Quay. He was standing in the middle of the road in front of a car at traffic lights. He was speaking to himself and did not notice the marked patrol car or uniformed members of An Garda Siochána walking towards him.

Solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said the accused was very anxious to put these matters behind him so that he could return to employment.

Ciemiega pleaded guilty to all of the charges against him. Judge Mary Dorgan said the man could do a community service order instead of going to prison. The duration of such community service was not specified as the matter was put back for a month for a report on his suitability for this.

In other charges he admitted that on August 7, 2023, during a search of a house at Watergrasshill, he attempted to discard of cannabis out the window to avoid detection. He was caught with the same drug for his own use.

On July 31, 2025, he carried out a theft at Brown Thomas of fragrances valued €239. 

Mr Cuddigan said the man, who came to Ireland from Poland at the age of 13, is “a very bright man” who got an excellent Leaving Certificate and was described as having huge potential once he rehabilitates.

Mr Cuddigan said Mr Ciemiega had overcome very challenging childhood circumstances to get 505 points in his Leaving Cert and do three years of a chemical biopharmacy degree.