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. 16731Handling stolen property · Co. Cork

Woman fined €200 for handling stolen flower baskets in Cork

Between 29 and 31 May 2023, six community hanging baskets and flowers valued at €180 were stolen from Inch, Killeagh, Co Cork. Community members had placed an Apple tracker in one basket, which gave its location as the Carrigaline home of Mary O'Driscoll, a 45-year-old woman, and gardaí obtained a warrant, searched her property and found all six baskets and the tracker there. O'Driscoll pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to possessing the baskets, knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen. On 4 July 2024, Judge Marian O'Leary fined her €200 and gave her six months to pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Jul
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Mary O'Driscoll pleaded guilty to being in possession of six hanging flower baskets, knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen.
Where
The baskets were stolen from Inch, Killeagh, Co Cork.
When
The baskets and flowers were stolen between 29 and 31 May 2023.
Cause
Community members had lost other baskets the year before and therefore put a tracker in one of the baskets.
Investigation
  • An Apple tracker placed in one basket gave its location as O'Driscoll's address in Carrigaline, Co Cork.
  • Gardaí obtained a warrant, searched her property and found all six baskets and the tracking device there.
Charges
She was charged with possession of the baskets, knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen.
In court
Her solicitor told Cork District Court that she had been reckless as to whether the goods were stolen and was pleading guilty.
Sentence
Judge Marian O'Leary fined her €200 on 4 July 2024 and gave her six months to pay.
Other details
  • The stolen baskets and flowers were valued at €180, each basket at €30, and all six were recovered and returned to their owner.
  • There was no financial loss, and O'Driscoll had four previous convictions and had signed a probation bond three weeks before this incident.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMary O'Driscoll pleaded guilty to being in possession of six flower baskets, knowing or reckless as to whether they were stolen. (rte.ie)
  • whatMary O’Driscoll pleaded guilty to being in possession of stolen hanging flower baskets. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe baskets were stolen from Inch, Killeagh, Co Cork. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe baskets were stolen from Inch in Killeagh, Co Cork. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenSix community hanging baskets and flowers were stolen between 29 May and 31 May 2023. (rte.ie)
  • whenSix hanging baskets and flowers were stolen between 29 and 31 May 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationCommunity members put an Apple tracker into one basket, which showed O'Driscoll's address in Carrigaline. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí obtained a warrant, searched her property and found all six baskets and the tracking device. (rte.ie)
  • investigationCommunity members put an Apple tracker into one of the baskets. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe tracker gave its location as O’Driscoll’s address. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí obtained a search warrant and went to the accused’s home. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found the baskets and the tracking device at the home. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe charge was possession of the baskets, knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtHer solicitor told the court she had been reckless as to whether the goods were stolen and was pleading guilty. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Cork District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Marian O'Leary fined her €200 and gave her six months to pay. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceJudge O’Leary fined O’Driscoll €200 and gave her six months to pay. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThere was no financial loss and all six baskets had been recovered. (rte.ie)
  • otherO'Driscoll had four previous convictions and had signed a Probation Bond three weeks before this incident. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe stolen baskets and flowers were valued at €180. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherO’Driscoll had four previous convictions and had signed a probation bond three weeks before the incident. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe baskets were returned to their owner. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Jul2024
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Woman ordered to pay fine after device used to track stolen flower baskets to her home

    Reports the guilty plea, the €200 fine with six months to pay, the Apple tracker investigation, and the stolen items being returned to their owner.

    convicted, Mary O'Driscoll, 45, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary O'Driscoll
  2. 4 Jul2024
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Woman fined after stolen flower baskets found in home

    Reports the guilty plea, the tracker that located the baskets, the search and the €200 fine at Cork District Court.

    convicted, Mary O'Driscoll, 45, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary O'Driscoll