Woman gets five months for shoplifting crisps, alcohol and cosmetics in Cork

The last theft took place on St Patrick’s Day

The court was told the defendant had again been doing well in Limerick Prison, accessing addiction services and attending to mental health issues. File picture: Dan Linehan

Hunky Dory crisps, cider, wine and cosmetics were among the products stolen by a 34-year-old woman in the course of several shoplifting incidents and now she has been sentenced to a total of five months in jail.

Anita Barrett of Cork Simon Community pleaded guilty to all of the theft charges against her which date from March last year, through to St Patrick’s Day this year.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the 34-year-old had been doing better in her life for a period but that “events had overtaken her.”

However, he said that Ms Barrett had again been doing well in Limerick Prison, accessing addiction services and attending to mental health issues.

Judge Dorgan imposed several sentences making up a total of five months in prison.

On March 23, 2025, she stole a €15 bottle of wine at Aldi on Skehard Road, Cork.

On October 27, 2025, at Aldi, Glanmire, she stole €23 worth of cider. She stole €19 worth of alcohol at Ryan’s Supervalu at Crestfield, Glanmire, Count Cork, around this time also.

On November 15, 2025, at Deasy’s Pharmacy she was caught shoplifting €17 worth of cosmetics.

At Centra, North Main Street, Cork, on February 16 she stole a €4 bag of Hunky Dory crisps. On the same day she was found obstructing the passage of pedestrians by begging on St. Patrick’s Street.

On St Patrick’s Day she stole €83 worth of property at Penney’s on St. Patrick’s Street at 4pm that afternoon.