A LIMERICK mother admitted stealing €150 worth of clothes from an Oxfam charity shop, along with other offences, before the Limerick District Court.
The 30-year-old – who cannot be named as she is also before the court on charges under the Domestic Violence Act – pleaded guilty when she appeared before Judge Valerie Corcoran to the theft on May 24, 2024, along with stealing two phone chargers worth €60 from Gala on South Circular Road on November 13 last.
Judge Corcoran heard evidence that the woman went into the charity shop on William Street in the city and took the clothes before later being identified on CCTV.
After staff reported the theft, Gardaà went to her house and arrested her, the court heard.
CCTV was also used to identify her when she took the phone chargers from Gala, the court was told.
She also admitted a third charge under the Public Order Act. Judge Corcoran heard that Gardaà had to be called to the Vue cinema after the accused and another woman locked themselves into the ladies toilet.
When Gardaà arrived, they found them “highly intoxicated and holding plastic cups”, the court heard.
They were told to leave and did so, but the accused returned to the cinema later “screaming and roaring” and causing a disturbance.
The court heard that the woman has 23 previous convictions, including two for theft, for which she served a four-month jail sentence.
Her solicitor told Judge Corcoran that the 30-year-old has a six-year-old child, and “has ongoing addiction issues”.
Judge Corcoran adjourned the charge under the Domestic Violence Act for Gardaà to canvass a victim impact statement. The women has already pleaded guilty to that charge.
Judge Corcoran imposed two sentences of one month in jail on each charge, to run concurrently.
She set bail in the event of an appeal at the woman’s own bond of €100 and €300 surety.
– Court Reporting Scheme