Jerry Foley, of no fixed address, was sentenced by Judge Catherine Ryan at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the extent of the 50-year-old’s previous convictions. Of the 142 counts, 57 of them are for theft and three are for handling stolen property.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the defendant left school at the age of 11 and that four of his brothers had died.

Mr Burke said alcohol was a serious issue for the accused and he was drunk at the time of the Marks & Spencer theft.

“When he comes out of prison, if he gets medication he is fine. If not, he falls back to alcohol. His medication is for depression,” Mr Burke said.

Mr Foley said at Cork District Court by video link from prison he was not getting his medication when he was in custody.

Judge Ryan said: “But you are not getting alcohol either, so it is swings and roundabouts.” 

Addressing him directly, the judge said of his offending: “It has to come to an end… When you get out this time, I hope you are going to take your medication and give up alcohol.” 

Jerry Foley said: “That’s the plan.” Judge Ryan then imposed a one-month sentence backdated to May 14 when he went into custody.

Garda Jonathan O’Brien said the defendant was found in an intoxicated condition at Merchants Quay wearing the suit and other clothing that had been stolen from Marks & Spencer earlier on the same day.