Couple stole over €2,500 groceries in Portlaoise 

A couple brought €2,500 to court to pay for groceries they had stolen in Portlaoise last year. 

Jordan Byrne, 22, and Daisy O’Connor, 22, both with an address at Derrylusk, Mountrath were each accused of stealing €800 of groceries from Dunnes Stores, Kyle Centre, Portlaoise on November 2, 2022, €1,500 on November 5, 2022 and €700 worth of groceries on November 6. They were further charged with stealing alcohol valued at €71.85 from Tesco in Portlaoise on November 2, 2022 and stealing €70 worth of goods from Tesco on November 6, 2022.

Ms O’Connor was also accused of stealing a bottle of brandy valued at €59.50 from Dunnes Stores on the Mountmellick Road on March 21, 2023. 

“These are the couple who loaded their trolleys up to the gills, taking €700 or €800 worth of goods,” said Judge Andrew Cody when the pair appeared in court. 

He noted the thefts included “earpods for the new baby”. Judge Cody was told the defendants didn’t have the full €2,500 in court they needed to fully repay Dunnes Stores. He was told they had €2, 050. 

“It is €2,500, the zero is in the wrong place,” Judge Cody said. He put the case back to after 2pm so the couple could get the remainder of the €2,500.   After lunch the pair returned with €2,500. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said Ms O’Connor had a further €60 for Dunnes Stores on the Mountmellick Road. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald, who was representing Mr Byrne, said it is unlikely that his client would trouble the court again. 

“He entered a plea at an early stage,” said Mr Fitzgerald. 

Judge Cody said the crimes weren’t impulsive. 

“There was nothing impulsive about this,” he said. 

On each of the three thefts from Dunnes Stores he sentenced the man to three months suspended for three years. He took all of Mr Byrne’s other matters into consideration. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client had entered a plea at the earliest opportunity. She said the couple were homeless when the bigger thefts occurred. 

“She took the bottle with a view to trading it for baby food,” Ms Fitzpatrick claimed. She  said her client now has an address in Portarlington. 

“Allow her one final opportunity to prove that she is not going to trouble the court again,” asked Ms Fitzpatrick. 

Judge Cody noted the woman had stolen after being caught initially. 

“They each went on an extraordinary heist, particularly against Dunnes Stores,” he said. 

He imposed a nine month sentence which he suspended for three years. 

“She will do nine months if she is caught with her finger in any pie in any shop in this town again,” he said. 

He warned the defendant not to be under any illusion about that before granting legal aid.