Cork man admits stealing drone by putting it down his trousers and walking out of shop

Cork District Court heard that the accused had 160 previous convictions, including 87 for theft

Cork District Court heard the man 'took a drone off the shelf and placed it down his pants.' File picture: Larry Cummins

A €580 drone was put down inside a man’s trousers at an electrical store and he then walked out of the premises without offering payment for it.

36-year-old John McDonagh of 1 Inchera Close, Mahon, Cork, pleaded guilty to carrying out the theft at Cork District Court where Judge Eamonn Carroll imposed a one-month prison sentence on him.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the accused had 160 previous convictions including two for burglary, one for making a gain by deception, one for possession of articles in connection with carrying out a theft, one for handling stolen property and 87 for theft.

Shane Collins-Daly said the accused had been in custody serving a total sentence of 18 months in Portlaoise prison for other similar offences.

Mr Collins-Daly said the 36-year-old had completed three six-week courses during his time in custody, namely for anger management, dealing with anxiety and coping with grief.

The solicitor said the accused was 11 months into his sentence and would have hoped that this matter could have been brought against him earlier so that it could have been taken into consideration with the sentence he was serving.

Sgt Dineen said: “On June 7 2025 at DID Electrical, retail park in Turner’s Cross he entered the premises and took a drone off the shelf and placed it down his pants. He left the store passing all points of payment without paying for the drone. 

“The stolen property worth €580 was not recovered.” 

Jude Eamonn Carroll imposed a prison sentence of one month which will not increase the overall sentence of 18 months already being served by the accused.