Probation for County Kildare woman who stole ‘out of compulsion’

The Probation Act was applied in the case of a woman who had been stealing 'out of compulsion' brought on by depression.

The decision was made by Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, January 18 last.

The court was told that over a six-week period, the woman, who is aged in her 20s, stole small amounts of cash from the tills of the County Kildare shop she worked in at the time.

According to gardaí, the total amount of cash stolen was around €1,136.

The woman pleaded guilty to all of the offences, and paid the money that she stole back to the shop.

It was heard that she was fired from her job as a result of her actions.

Gardaí said that the woman has no previous convictions and has not come to garda attention since it was discovered that she was stealing from her then-employer.

Defending solicitor Brian Larkin told Judge Zaidan that his client suffers from depression and was in a dark place at the time.

Solicitor Brian Larkin. File photograph.

However, he added that the woman has since found employment in a new job and attends counselling sessions on a weekly basis.

Mr Larkin also said that the woman’s parents have been 'a great credit to her for supporting her (since the thefts came to light).'

He also pointed to her guilty pleas and her co-operation with gardaí.

In addition, he said that she would be willing to donate €3,000 to the court as a gesture of remorse, and handed in a positive reference from one of her former school teachers, who remarked that she was 'a hard-working but over-anxious' student.

Judge Zaidan remarked that while there was a breach of trust committed by the woman by stealing the sums of cash, he did take onboard the mitigating factors outlined by Mr Larkin and the reference letter.

He concluded that he would 'give the woman a chance', and accepted her €3,000 donation and divided among different causes.

These causes include: €500 to St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Kilcock, €500 to SVP in Athy, €500 to SVP in Newbridge, €500 to the Autism Spectrum unit in Bunscoil Bríde National School, €500 to the Teach Tearmainn domestic violence service and €500 to another unspecified cause.

Once the funds were allocated, Judge Zaidan applied the Probation Act on the woman’s case.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or [email protected]) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).

In addition, you can also visit https://www.aware.ie/.