Cork man admits shoplifting from supermarket on Christmas Day and litany of similar thefts

Court told of a catalogue of thefts from retailers in Cork, including electric toothbrushes, ice creams, honey and chocolate

On Christmas Day, defendant stole a small amount of food from Spar on Douglas Street, court heard. File picture

Shoplifting on Christmas Day was one of the offences to which a 40-year-old man pleaded guilty, and now he has been sentenced to a total of seven months for this and a litany of similar crimes.

Judge David Waters imposed the sentence on Shane Murphy, of 213 Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork, at Cork District Court.

Sergeant David Fleming said on Christmas Day 2025, he stole a small amount of food from Spar on Douglas Street.

There were other shoplifting incidents that also related to items of low value but there were several more where the value of the stolen property was high. “These high-value items were presumably for re-sale,” Judge Waters said. Mr Murphy stole several electric toothbrushes.

Frank Buttimer solicitor said: “He is single. Regrettably, he is estranged from his family and has a lot of addictions and while he has had periods of rehabilitation he has not been doing well recently.” 

Sgt Fleming outlined the catalogue of thefts, including small items and more valuable ones.

On April 14, he stole €10 worth of ice creams and chocolate bars at Centra on Oliver Plunkett Street. On April 23, he stole a Magnum ice cream at Centra, North Main Street.

He was found to be drunk and a danger on May 2, and on May 24 he handled two jars of stolen Manuka honey, valued a total of €310. He was begging on St Patrick’s Bridge, obstructing the passage of pedestrians, on May 29.

On July 25, at Mr Price, Westside Retail Park, Ballincollig, Shane Murphy stole €100 worth of groceries. On July 31, he stole €373 worth of electrical items from Boots chemist in Douglas Shopping Centre. The following day, he returned and stole €177 worth of electrical items.

On August 21, he stole a €190 toothbrush at Dunnes in Douglas Court. The same day, he stole a Braun electric toothbrush costing €199. The next day, he stole another one. On August 28, he returned and stole €40 Lenor beads.

Finally, on September 3 he was drunk and a danger at St Patrick’s Street.