A HOMELESS woman stole a van so that she would have some shelter to sleep in, a judge was told.
Tracey O’Shea (36), with an address at Cronin Lawn in Shannon, but who a court heard was homeless at the time of the offence, appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court.
She pleaded guilty to stealing the van, which was parked outside an address in Limerick City and was left unlocked, the court heard.
Judge Harney heard Garda evidence that the station received a call about a woman asleep in a van parked at a nearby shopping centre.
Responding, Gardaí found Ms O’Shea asleep in the driver’s seat. The court heard Ms O’Shea was “very co-operative” when challenged by Gardaí.
Her solicitor told the court that Ms O’Shea was “homeless at the time. She was using the van for shelter. The van was recovered and there was no damage done to it.”
Judge Harney asked “how did she start it if there was no damage done?”
Addressing the court by video-link from Limerick prison, Ms O’Shea said “they keys were in the ignition, your honour”.
The court heard that Ms O’Shea has 135 previous convictions, including for road traffic offences, theft, and misuse of drugs.
Judge Harney sentenced her to 12 weeks in jail. She set bail for an appeal at Ms O’Shea’s own bond of €50 with a lodgement of €150 and a condition that she stay at the address in Shannon and stay out of Limerick City.
