Cork woman who stole from local supermarkets had gone 'off the rails' since mother's death

A Cork woman who was caught on CCTV stealing from local supermarkets in Youghal on three different occasions has been given a prison sentence in the district court.

Sergeant Linda O’Leary told Youghal Disitrict Court Kirsty Doyle, aged 36, with an address at Blackwater Heights, Youghal, Co Cork, admitted the thefts in a caution statement given to gardaí.

The court was told Doyle went into Aldi in Youghal at 3.30pm on August 17, 2025, and put goods valued at €24.63 into bag and left the store without paying for the items. 

On August 23, at 2.30pm, she returned to Aldi and on this occasion she took goods valued at €12.55 and again left the store without paying for the items. 

The final theft occurred on September 1, 2025, when Doyle went to SuperValu in Youghal and took 10 cans of alcohol valued at €46.50, and again left with the items but did not pay for them.

The court was told Doyle had 85 previous convictions, including 56 for theft and none of the stolen goods were recovered. Doyle was brought to court from Limerick Prison where she was already serving a sentence related to a previous theft and was due for release on November 15.

Defence barrister William Bulman said Doyle struggled with heroin and alcohol addiction. He said her mother, who had died two years ago, was a stabilising influence in her life and she was struggling to cope with the bereavement and had gone “completely off the rails”.

Mr Bulman said Doyle was benefitting from addiction supports in prison and urged Judge John O’Leary to consider a probation bond instead of a further custodial sentence so Doyle could benefit from the support of the Probation Service when she was released from prison.

Judge O’Leary said Doyle had been given chances before and “in the end it is up to her to deal with her addiction”. He said many people suffer bereavements but do not steal because of it.

For the first theft, Doyle was sentenced to three months in prison, for the second she was sentenced to four months in prison, and for the third theft she received a six-month prison sentence with all sentences to run concurrently. 

Recognisance for appeal was fixed in her own bond of €300 with a €300 cash lodgement required.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme