Cork woman who stole charity collection box from church is jailed

Accused was also charged with 14 counts of shoplifting in stores around Cork

The charity box was stolen from the Church of Our Lady Crowned in Mayfield shortly before a 12 o’clock Mass commenced, court heard. Picture: Larry Cummins

A charity collection box for St Vincent de Paul was stolen from a church by a woman who has been sentenced to a total of six months in prison for this and 14 counts of shoplifting around Cork City.

37-year-old Noreen Foley, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the litany of thefts as her solicitor Eddie Burke said, “her life is one of absolute chaos”.

Judge Catherine Ryan noted the extensive difficulties in the defendant’s life and expressed the hope Foley could put her time in custody to good use.

“The court sympathises with you. You are still a young woman. You can still try and turn your life around. I wish you well,” Judge Ryan said to Foley.

Sergeant John Dineen said the charity box was stolen from the Church of Our Lady Crowned in Mayfield shortly before a 12 o’clock Mass commenced. Ms Foley was one of two people involved in the theft. The charity box was found damaged nearby, with the cash missing.

Sgt Dineen said it was not possible to say exactly the amount of cash in it at the time, except to say when the offerings were forwarded to the charity on previous occasions, the amounts were about €200 each time.

Other thefts carried out by the accused occurred in shops in Cork city centre, including Dunnes, Centra, Mountain Warehouse and Elvery’s.

Mr Burke said many of the items stolen were clothing and small household items, including cheese and butter.