Recovering addict ‘very sorry’ for stealing €140 of protein bars

A recovering drug addict battling depression has admitted walking into a Mullingar shop and stealing €140 worth of protein bars.

John Reilly (29) of 22 Castle Elms, Coolock, Dublin 5 stole the bars from Mr Price, Canal Court, Bellview, Mullingar, Westmeath on November 14, 2025.

He was charged with the offence at last Thursday’s sitting of Mullingar District Court in front of presiding Judge Bernadette Owens.

Sgt Sheila Kenny said directions had been received from the DPP to prosecute Mr Reilly in the District Court, and Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction.

Aileen O’Gara, BL, for Mr Reilly, said the Dublin man would enter a guilty plea.

Sgt Kenny said Mr Reilly entered the store and was identified on CCTV taking the bars from shelves before passing all points of payments. None of the stolen bars were recovered, she added.

The court heard Mr Reilly had 30 previous convictions, five for similar Section 4 thefts.

The accused spent six weeks in the Midlands Prison for a theft offence from August 2024, the court heard.

Ms O’Gara said Mr Reilly was apologetic for what had occurred and was willing to repay the store, but needed time to do so.

She said Mr Reilly was not in employment and added: “He had a drug habit which he put a lot of these offences down to, but he instructs me he is no longer taking cocaine and is very sorry,” she said, noting he also was battling depression.

Judge Owens said the accused deserved credit for his early guilty plea and said the court was willing to allow Mr Reilly six weeks to gather the required €140 in compensation.

Mr Reilly was remanded on bail to Mullingar District Court on June 25.