Man (52) ordered to stay out of Dunnes

A MAN was ordered to stay out of Dunnes Stores in The Square shopping centre for a year after pleading guilty to theft of groceries from the store.

Ian Shields (52), with an address provided of Cabra Road, Dublin 7, appeared before Tallaght District Court.

Garda Sergeant Mike Formsby told the court that on September 9, 2025, gardai responded to the scene of a theft at Dunnes Stores and that a quantity of groceries was recovered from the accused who was stopped and arrested.

The court heard Mr Shields has 129 previous convictions, his most recent a one-month conviction in February 2025.

Defence counsel said Mr Shields has a disability with a bad back, attends Alcohol Anonymous meetings and has endured “difficulty in the background.”

Judge Patricia McNamara imposed a sentence of seven months imprisonment suspended for 12 months, with conditions.

The conditions include that Mr Shields stay out of Dunnes Stores in The Square for 12 months, keep attending AA and no re-offending.

“There is a cost to the community with thefts, jobs are affected, price of goods affected. You will face seven months in prison if there is a breach of conditions,” said the Judge.

Funded by the Local Courts Reporting Scheme