Woman 'battling addiction since she was young' jailed for shoplifting in Cork City

Cork District Court heard that the 39-year-old woman has 169 convictions

Two of the offences were committed at JD Sports Opens on St Patricks Street, Cork City. Photo: Damian Coleman

169 convictions have been clocked up by a 39-year-old woman who has been jailed now for nine months for further crimes.

Maggie Foley of Cork Simon Community pleaded guilty to shoplifting and other offences at Cork District Court where Judge Mary Dorgan imposed the total sentence of nine months.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said the 39-year-old had been doing well in terms of putting her life on a better track.

“Unfortunately, she had a lapse and fell back into offending to pay for her addiction. She has been battling addiction since she was very young.

“She has been doing well in custody and is motivated to rehabilitate. She is hoping she can stay at it this time,” Mr Kelleher said.

Judge Dorgan acknowledged what was said in mitigation and the extent of the previous convictions outlined by Sergeant John Kelleher. Of the 169 previous convictions, 69 of them were for thefts.

And on this occasion at Cork District Court, Ms Foley pleaded guilty to four more shoplifting offences.

They were committed on April 27, 2025, and May 23, 2025 — both times at JD Sports, St. Patrick’s Street, Cork, on October 25, 2025, at Chemist Warehouse, Cornmarket Street, and on November 23 at Homesense, Grand Parade, Cork. 

She admitted other counts of failing to appear in court.