A man with two names was unable to remember stealing groceries from a Killybegs supermarket, the Donegal District Court has heard.
Markus Presley of Carricknagore, Bruckless, pleaded guilty through his solicitor Rory O’Brien to two counts of theft of groceries at SuperValu, Killybegs.
The first was on January 6, 2023 when he stole goods valued at €37.23, property of Declan Callaghan, manager of Supervalu, Killybegs. The second offence took place on January 13, 2023 and related to theft of groceries valued at €62.17, property of Gerry Rooney, Supervalu, Killybegs.
Both offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Inspector Angela Cummins told the court that on both dates, Presley drove to the forecourt of Super Valu in Killybegs, and walked around the shop.
“When he got to the till he left his bag on the ground and only put some items on the till,” said the inspector.
“He left the shop with items in bag and did not pay for them. He was subsequently arrested.”
The inspector said the defendant has two aliases.
He had two previous convictions in 2011 under the name of Markus Presley.
“He is also known as Mark Tolentino and has 26 previous convictions, quite historic in nature from 1995 to 2005, including 20 under the theft act for that period,” said Inspector Cummins.
Mr O’Brien said his client had cooperated with the investigation, and acknowledged when shown CCTV that he had committed the offences.
“However,” said Mr O’Brien, “he had a difficulty at the time in relation to his ability to recollect various events.”
The solicitor said Presley was a man who lived an isolated life on little means, getting by on his pension and fuel allowance and getting support from a community nurse. He is also in contact with the charities ALONE and the St Vincent de Paul.
Mr O’Brien said his client was under medical treatment for a condition with symptoms including confusion.
“This was a triggering event for him to seek medical attention as he had no recollection of events,” said Mr O’Brien.
He added that Presley was keen to compensate the supermarket.
Judge Sandra Murphy adjourned the case to January 27 in order to obtain a probation report and to allow for payment of compensation.
“Mr Presley comes to the court with a complex background in terms of two separate aliases and a previous history of offences,” she said.
“He is now coming to the court with theft, albeit minor in nature.
“I want to get to the bottom of it with the history that he has.”