A judge has called on Dunnes Store to justify their reasoning for bringing a man to court over the theft of a packet of paracetamol.
According to the Irish Examiner, the case came before Cork District Court this week and saw 38-year-old Jaoaquim Morais of Lower Killeens, Commons Road, Cork, accused of stealing a packet of paracetamol worth €1.99 from from Dunnes Stores in Ballyvolane in July.
Inspector Mary King told the court that Morais slipped the 24-pack of paracetamol into a packet of Lemsip and only paid for the Lemsip during a visit to the supermarket.
Judge O'Leary demanded that the retailer explain why the time and expense of a Garda prosecution was necessary given the low value of the theft.
Inspector King said that she understood that it was "company policy" at Dunnes Stores to take action in all such circumstances but Judge O'Leary said that was not a sufficient explanation and adjourned the case until a representative from the retailer could attend.
Morais has pleaded guilty to the theft of the goods, which were subsequently recovered by security.
