Cork man admits stealing two bottles of vodka from hotel bar and other shoplifting charges 

Court told accused had 58 previous convictions, including 18 for theft and 23 for being drunk and a danger to himself or others

Court heard incident occurred after 3am on June 3 at the River Lee Hotel when defendant entered the premises, went behind the counter of a bar and selected two bottles of vodka with a total value of €109.

An early hours burglary at the River Lee Hotel on Western Road resulted in a 26-year-old man getting a jail term of seven months.

Judge David Waters imposed that sentence on David Johnson, of Cork Simon Community, at Cork District Court.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the incident occurred after 3am on June 3 at the River Lee Hotel when Johnson entered the premises, went behind the counter of a bar and selected two bottles of vodka with a total value of €109.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said thankfully there was no interaction with anybody on the premises on the occasion.

David Johnson pleaded guilty to a burglary charge arising out of that incident. He also admitted several other offences between June and August.

He pleaded guilty to shoplifting at Centra on Main Street, Ballincollig, and at Centra on North Main Street, when alcohol was stolen both times.

He confessed to being drunk and a danger at Kyrl’s Quay, again at Winthrop Street, as well as at Bishop Lucey Park on two occasions and at Anglesea Street.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the accused had 58 previous convictions, including 18 for theft and 23 for being drunk and a danger to himself or others.

Mr Burke said one garda who dealt with the accused said he had encountered the defendant either passed out on the street or passed out on a bench.

“He is quite a vulnerable young man. He is from Carrigaline. He is living with Cork Simon Community and gets the support of Cork Penny Dinners. He ends up drinking with people who are more influential on him. He loses accommodation and falls into homelessness and addiction,” Mr Burke said.