A 75-year-old man from Castletownbere admitted stealing alcohol when he couldn't afford to pay for it.

The accused, Bernard Harrington (75) of Cloughland, Bere Island, Beara, told Judge Joanne Carroll at Bantry District Court: 'I am a functioning alcoholic.'

He admitted taking alcohol on a weekly basis from SuperValu in Castletownbere, but he told the court he had already repaid some of the €437 owed.

The accused, who is in receipt of the old age pension, pleaded guilty through his solicitor, Flor Murphy, to stealing cans of cider worth €33 on August 15th last, and €64.80 worth of alcohol on August 22nd.

He also pleaded guilty to charges of stealing alcohol worth €64.80 on September 5th; alcohol €64.80 worth on September 12th; €32.40 euros worth of alcohol on September 19th; €64.80 euros worth on September 26th; €48.60 euros worth on October 3rd; and alcohol to the value of €63.80 on October 10th.

The accused gave an undertaking to pay the balance due, but Judge Joanne Carroll said the owner of the store needs to be compensated for the aggravation that these weekly visits to the shop caused him and his staff.

The judge instructed the accused to pay a total of €750, and she remanded him on continuing bail to appear at the next sitting of Bantry District Court on April 9th.