Cork woman threatened to set fire to security man's family home
The At Merchants Happened Quay, Incident November Dunnes Photo In File On At Cork, 9 Stores
A woman who threatened to set fire to the home of a security man at a Cork store while his family was sleeping was jailed for five months as the judge described her actions as unconscionable.
Judge Mary Dorgan said that apart from the distress caused to the security officer it would have been a frightening scene for any customers or children who might have been present at the time.
36-year-old Noreen Foley of 1B Grenville Court, Grenville Place, Cork, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against her by Garda Aideen Hallahan in respect of an incident at Dunnes Stores in Merchants Quay, Cork, on November 9.
The incident happened before 10am that morning and she pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a security man, causing criminal damage and engaging in threatening behaviour. Defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the plea of guilty was being entered at the earliest opportunity.
Sergeant Aisling Murphy said that while Noreen Foley was in the store she was asked to leave by the member of security staff.
“She was asked to leave the store again. She punched the security guard into the chest.
“The security guard proceeded to escort the woman out of the store and she pinched his arm. He then asked her to leave again and the female began pulling stock from the rails and throwing it onto the ground.
“When she was outside the security barrier she proceeded to hit the security man into the face.
“She made her way back into the store and pushed over the mannequin which smashed. The value of the mannequin was €400. Garda Hallahan viewed the CCTV footage and identified the female as Noreen Foley,” Sgt Murphy said.
She has had previous referrals to probation which did not go well from her point of view and the report described her as being at high risk of re-offending. Judge Dorgan said the accused does present him as vulnerable but she needs to commit.
“She needs to engage with services.
"When you (the accused) were asked to leave all you had to do is walk out the door.
“The only person walking herself into these difficulties is herself. These are all recent matters on top of other recent matters,” the judge said.
As well as the Dunnes Stores incident there was a theft of €321 worth of clothing at Dunnes Stores on St Patrick’s Street — also on November 9. In a third incident on that date she stole €87 worth of property at Chemist Warehouse, Cornmarket Street, where she also caused criminal damage.