Co Armagh man stole groceries and other items worth almost £750 from Tesco Lurgan, Craigavon court hears
A Co Armagh man, who was stole hundreds of pounds worth of food and sundries from Tesco, has narrowly missing being sent to jail.
The 59-year-old man appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday where it was revealed he has already gathered a significant amount in compensation.
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Francis McNally, aged 59, from Drumgor Heights, Craigavon, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft:
- stole groceries and sundry items valued at £291.44 belonging to Tesco, Millennium Way, Lurgan on March 29, 2025
- stole groceries and sundry items valued at £198.99 belonging to Tesco, Lurgan on April 9 last year.
- stole groceries and sundry items valued at £259.20 also belonging to Tesco, Lurgan on April 10 last year.
McNally’s lawyer said his client attended court with £530 restitution and is due money on Monday when he would be able to pay the balance.
He further explained that in the case of the third charge, those goods were never removed from the store – leaving a total of £490.43.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan noted a previous hearing heard the thefts were made via self service tills.
McNally’s lawyer said his client had been in ill health at that time and also has “significant” caring responsibilities. He was struggling under financial constraints of being unable to work due to his ill health.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan described these as “opportunistic” thefts and sentenced McNally to seven months in jail suspended for 12 months on each count, to run concurrently.
An order of £500 compensation was also made by the District Judge.