A SPANISH waiter who stole groceries from a shop in Schull 19 times in the space of nine days has repaid €416.10 back to the shop owner, a court heard.

Alejandro Gomez Bellon (33) of Main Street, Schull pleaded guilty at Bantry District Court to 19 charges of theft on dates between November 18th and December 27th 2025.

On five occasions last November, the accused was caught on CCTV walking into Brosnan’s Centra in Schull’s Main Street, putting items into his bag, and leaving without paying.

And on 14 occasions in December, including the day after St Stephen’s Day, the accused admitted stealing more groceries which Sgt Tom Mulcahy said included ‘vegetables and prawns, sweets, chocolate and honey’.

‘When he was arrested he was co-operative with the gardaí and said he would pay for what he stole,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

Judge Joanne Carroll was told that the accused has no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said his client continues to work as a waiter at the Schull Harbour Hotel, where he earns minimum wage.

And he described his client’s work as ‘intermittent’ over the winter months.

‘On what basis did he think he could walk into a shop and walk out with prawns?’ Judge Carroll asked.

‘Is Mr Brosnan supposed to get up every morning and accept that this man can go into his shop and walk out without paying?

‘This happened in November and December when things are tight but lights, heating and wages still have to be paid,’ she added.

Mr Murphy said his client understands that he is no longer welcome in the store anymore. ‘You get barred once you get caught and now he will have to go to Ballydehob if he wants to buy milk,’ he told the judge.

Judge Carroll repeated her remarks that she couldn’t understand how anyone could walk into a shop 19 times, take goods, and simply walk out.

After a short recess in the case, Mr Murphy said his client told him he had been ‘getting tight on money’.

And when the hotel closed at intervals over the winter, his client never claimed social welfare.

Although the judge acknowledged the accused’s previous good character, she said she found it incredible that he felt he could do this over a two-month period while he had a job and accommodation and no affliction which would excuse his behaviour.

The judge ordered the accused to carry out 60 hours of community service in lieu of three-months imprisonment in respect of the November charges.

For the offences committed after December 15th, she imposed a four-month suspended sentence.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.