Bantry court hears Cork man stole wine after struggling with HAP payments

Judge orders addiction treatment and counselling after defendant admitted stealing two bottles of wine

Court heard defendant went into the Drinagh Co-op Spar supermarket on Market Street, Skibbereen, and took two bottles of wine with a total value of €31.88 and left the store without paying. File picture

A Cork man who had been experiencing difficulties securing his Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism stole two bottles of wine from a local supermarket when his supply ran out, Bantry District Court heard.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Bantry District Court that 52-year-old Peter McDonnell, of Mardyke Street, Skibbereen, had pleaded guilty to a single charge of theft arising from an incident on April 14.

The court heard that Mr McDonnell went into the Drinagh Co-op Spar supermarket on Market Street, Skibbereen, at 1pm and took two bottles of wine worth €31.88 before leaving the store without paying.

The theft was reported and, following a review of CCTV footage, Mr McDonnell was identified by gardaí. McDonnell admitted he was responsible for the theft and made a statement to that effect.

The court was told that he reimbursed the store for the loss, made full admissions and was very remorseful. Mr McDonnell had two previous convictions, including one for assault dating back to 2008.

Flor Murphy, defending, said Mr McDonnell had encountered difficulties securing his HAP payments and had become depressed as a result before turning to alcohol. 

The court was told Mr McDonnell had a number of disabilities as well as “a fondness for drink”, but had not been drinking for six months before the incident.

Mr Murphy said his client had run out of alcohol and had no money to pay for more when he went into the Spar store and took the bottles of wine. 

He said it was out of character for Mr McDonnell to do such a thing and that he was very regretful and apologetic about what had happened.

Judge Joanne Carroll admitted Mr McDonnell to a probation bond for nine months on condition that he attend alcohol addiction treatment and counselling as advised by the Probation Service and seek training or employment.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme