A WOMAN caught stealing candles from Tesco had been managing to keep a clean slate for a long period, a judge remarked before ordering a probation report.
Shannon O’Callaghan (28), of 17 Silver Street, Nenagh, pleaded guilty before Limerick District Court to stealing the goods from Arthur’s Quay shopping centre on February 28.
Judge Patricia Harney heard that Ms O’Callaghan was stopped by security guards as she left the store in possession of candles worth €40.
She was co-operative with the security guards and the candles were recovered in saleable condition, the court heard.
Judge Harney was told that Ms O’Callaghan has 47 previous convictions, including theft, assault, criminal damage, and misuse of drugs.
A suspended sentence, which she received on March 23 for another offence, would be triggered by having offended again and she would now have to serve that sentence, the court was told.
Her solicitor told the judge that this was the first time she had come to Garda attention in a long time.
“She was doing quite well until this incident,” he said.
Having looked at the dates of her previous offences, Judge Harney agreed to adjourm the matter for a probation report.
She remanded Ms O’Callaghan in custody until May 12.