Cork man accused of stealing alcohol from shop 'grateful' to be remanded in custody

Defendant was 'going down a bad road on the streets', court heard as he admitted stealing €60 worth of alcohol on August 15 at Blarney filling station and returning a short time later and stealing €54 worth of alcohol

Court heard the accused had more than 20 theft-related offences among his previous convictions. Picture: Larry Cummins

“He is grateful you sent him into custody because he was going down a bad road on the streets,” the solicitor for a man facing sentencing for thefts said at Cork District Court.

26-year-old David Johnson, of Cork Simon Community, appeared at Cork District Court, where solicitor Eddie Burke made that comment on his behalf.

While he was remanded in custody pending the theft offences, he has now been given a total sentence of four months by Judge David Waters.

The defendant pleaded guilty to stealing €60 worth of alcohol on August 15 at Blarney filling station and returning a short time later and stealing €54 worth of alcohol.

Mr Burke said the defendant’s plan was to try to get into rehabilitation once he finishes his time in prison.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the accused had more than 20 theft-related offences among his previous convictions.

Mr Burke described him as a vulnerable young man who was originally from Carrigaline but more recently living with Cork Simon Community and the support he is given by Cork Penny Dinners. 

The solicitor said the defendant often ended up drinking with people who had an adverse influence on him and he would lose accommodation and fall into homelessness and addiction.