Cork man stole vodka and steaks from the same shop eight times in one week

Accused pleaded guilty to these eight thefts and a number of other shoplifting offences elsewhere, and to public order offences where he was abusive to gardaí

Judge said the persistence of the offending and in particular the repeated visits to the same shop was 'holding everyone in disrespect, including the shopkeepers'. 

Smirnoff Ice and steaks were stolen by the same man from the same shop eight times in one week, and on Tuesday, the sentencing judge said the offending was serial and “beyond theft, beyond nuisance”.

Clifford’s on Shandon Street, Cork, was the location for the crimes committed by 42-year-old Alan Roche, of Cork Simon Community.

The accused man pleaded guilty to these eight thefts and a number of other shoplifting offences elsewhere, and to public order offences where he was abusive to gardaí.

Judge Philip O’Leary said at Cork District Court the persistence of the offending and in particular the repeated visits to the same shop was “holding everyone in disrespect, including the shopkeepers”. 

Stephen Cotter, solicitor, said of Alan Roche, who appeared in court by video link from prison: “He has a terrible addiction to alcohol, leading to a lot of problems for himself and others. He was not attending the probation service [as recently required] and he spiralled out of control.

“He is a very pleasant man to deal with. But when intoxicated he does not do himself or anyone else any good. In a recent medical intervention, he was told: 'If you do not heed advice you will end up in an early grave'. He does seem to engage with the probation service.

“He is very sorry to the guards who had to deal with him and to the people working in the shops.” 

The solicitor said Mr Roche knew he was facing a prison sentence but asked if some portion of it could be suspended. 

Judge O’Leary said he would consider that possibility and he requested a probation report would be done on the accused man when he was on remand in prison. Finalisation of sentencing was adjourned until October 20 for that purpose.

The judge said: “I have a lot of sympathy for the man. I understand the man is unwell and has a disease effectively.

“But stealing stuff from the same shop in a few days is unbelievable and no consolation to the shopkeeper.” 

When Inspector Stephen Heffernan went through the eight thefts from Clifford’s on Shandon Street that Alan Roche committed between January 9 and 15, the details were that he was effectively going in and out of the shop stealing meat and Smirnoff Ice. 

This prompted Judge O’Leary to comment: “He didn’t change his MO.” Apart from this store, Alan Roche also carried out thefts from Boots pharmacy in Douglas Court and Aldi in Ballincollig.

He was abusive to gardaí, telling the driver of a garda community bus on St Patrick’s Street on June 4, 2025, he was a "snitch" as he tried to spit at the officer. 

At West Village in Ballincollig, around this time, he told gardaí: “F*** ye, I’ll sort ye out,” during a drunken incident.