A man from Navan stole beer, sausages, and pudding from a Centra store while visiting friends in Schull.

The accused, John Nelson of 23 Parnell Park, Navan, County Meath, was legally represented at Bantry District Court by Flor Murphy, solicitor.

He was sentenced to three months in prison, which was suspended for 12 months on the condition that he keeps the peace and receives treatment for his alcohol addiction.

The accused told Judge Joanne Carroll: ‘I was drinking every day up to about five weeks ago. I was langers drunk, and don’t remember this to tell you the truth.’

In his defence, Mr Murphy said his client had his addiction to alcohol under control but ‘slipped from his sobriety’ while visiting Schull on March 22nd last.

Sgt Trish O’Sullivan said the accused put some items, valued at €26.15, in his backpack when he went into the shop shortly before 2pm.

And it was the items that he put on the counter, and not those in his bag, that were paid for.

The sergeant said the accused has 19 previous convictions, but there is just one previous conviction for theft.

The accused paid the compensation into court and was granted free legal aid.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.