Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 15436Theft and threats to kill and to burn property · Co. Cork · 6 Feb 2024

Cork man sentenced for stealing M&Ms and threatening to burn a shop and kill a security guard

Andrew Barry, a man from Castle Park, Mallow, Co. Cork, was seen by security staff at a Dunnes Stores in Mallow on February 6, 2024 taking M&Ms and leaving without paying. When questioned, he threatened to burn down the store and to find out where a security officer lived, and he repeated the threats in front of a garda after gardaí were called. Between February 9 and February 24, 2024, he was linked to five further thefts from shops in Mallow and Ballydahin. On November 19, 2024, he pleaded guilty to eight charges at Mallow District Court and was sentenced to suspended prison terms and a two-year ban from Dunnes Stores in Mallow.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Andrew Barry pleaded guilty to eight charges at Mallow District Court, and sentencing was reported on 19 November 2024.
  • Barry took two pouches of M&Ms valued at €8 and left without paying, though one article describes two packets.
When
On 6 February 2024, security staff observed Barry taking M&Ms at Dunnes Stores in Mallow.
Where
Andrew Barry is of Castle Park, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Other details
  • When questioned about the theft, Barry became aggressive and told staff he would burn down the store.
  • Barry threatened a security officer that he would find out where the officer lived.
  • Barry also pleaded guilty to five other thefts from shops in Mallow and Ballydahin between 9 and 24 February 2024.
  • Barry had 35 previous convictions, including six for theft, eight for criminal damage and one for arson.
Investigation
Gardaí were called, and Barry repeated the threats in the presence of a garda.
Sentence
  • For the threat to kill a security guard, Barry was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.
  • For the threat to burn down the store, Barry was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years, to run consecutively.
  • For the other thefts, Barry was sentenced to a total of nine months in prison, suspended for two years.
  • Barry was barred from Dunnes Stores in Mallow for two years.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAndrew Barry pleaded guilty to eight charges at Mallow District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatBarry took two pouches of M&Ms valued at €8 and left without paying. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatWhen questioned about the theft, Barry became aggressive and told staff he would burn down the store. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatBarry threatened the security officer that he would find out where he lived. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereAndrew Barry is of Castle Park, Mallow, Co. Cork. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenOn February 6, 2024, Barry was observed by security staff at Dunne’s Stores in Mallow taking M&Ms. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were called and Barry repeated the threats in the presence of a garda. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceFor the threat to kill, Barry was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceFor the threat to burn down the store, Barry was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years, to run consecutively. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceFor the other thefts, Barry was sentenced to a total of nine months in prison, suspended for two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceBarry was barred from Dunnes Stores in Mallow for two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBarry also pleaded guilty to five other thefts from shops in Mallow and Ballydahin between February 9 and February 24, 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBarry had 35 previous convictions, including six for theft, eight for criminal damage and one for arson. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Nov2024
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Cork man who stole M&Ms sentenced for threat to burn down shop and kill a security guard

    Reports the sentencing of Andrew Barry at Mallow District Court, including the M&Ms theft and threats, five further thefts from Mallow and Ballydahin shops, prior convictions and the sentences imposed.

    convicted, Andrew Barry, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Andrew Barry