A YOUNG store operator stole €124 from two nurses, Bantry District Court heard.

On December 8th last, Sam Nallen (21) took €100 from a handbag that a nurse had left behind in a store area at Bantry General Hospital's high dependency unit; and the following day he took €20.

The sum of €4 was taken from the bag of another nurse on December 18th, but the accused returned the full amount when the case was called last Thursday.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said the money was taken from the unit where the accused, who resides at 3, Pairc Na Carragie, in Newtown, Bantry, had been employed.

Gda Albert Sweetnam checked the hospital's database to establish who had access to the store area, using a swipe card.

When the accused was cautioned and questioned, he admitted taking cash on three separate occasions.

Sgt Mulcahy pointed out that the accused has no previous convictions, and he is no longer employed at the hospital.

Solicitor Flor Murphy said his client informed him that he had an addiction to cocaine, but is in the process of getting treatment.

'His first appointment to address it with an addiction counsellor is tomorrow,' said Mr Murphy.

Judge Joanne Carroll remanded the accused to appear at the July 23rd sitting of Bantry District Court, requesting a probation report and two random drugs tests. 

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.