Judge says Sports Direct must provide viewable CCTV or case will be struck out

SPORTS Direct complained to gardaí of €465 worth of property being stolen from their premises in Mahon Point but despite efforts of the investigating garda over several months, the company has still not provided CCTV in a manner that can be viewed.

They have just been told by the judge that the case will be struck out if Sports Direct don’t provide it.

Sports Direct was directed yesterday by Judge Mary Dorgan of Cork District Court to provide CCTV that can be viewed properly by An Garda Síochána following a complaint by Sports Direct of an alleged shoplifting incident at one of their premises.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said Garda Páraic O’Connor was investigating the complaint from Sports Direct about the alleged theft of three pairs of Nike runners valued at a total of €395 and a €70 suitcase at 12pm on November 25, 2023.

The matter was back before Cork District Court yesterday where Sergeant Aisling Murphy read out the response given to Garda O’Connor in his attempt to progress the investigation.

It has been adjourned several times previously.

“In reference to the CCTV there is an ongoing issue from head office of Sports Direct in England where they refuse/cannot provide the player used for their footage. To my knowledge no member has been able to play footage from Sports Direct or Frasers in Mahon Point. It appears to be a very specific player and applications have been made to head office but the legal department have not complied with any requests.”

Defence solicitor Killian McCarthy said there had been no progress in the case against his client, 47-year-old Tewfik Sidhoum of Glenvera Hostel, Wellington Road, Cork, who faces charges including theft at the store and being in possession of snips with the intention that it be used in the course of theft at Sports Direct, Mahon Point, Cork.

Judge Dorgan said that if the complainant company — Sports Direct — did not provide CCTV in a viewable manner then the case would have to be struck out.

“I would direct Sports Direct to provide CCTV within one month. Otherwise we will have to strike out the matter,” Judge Dorgan said.

“It is a matter for Sports Direct. They made a complaint. It is a matter for them to come up with the evidence.”