Stole cosmetics from Boots in Portlaoise

A Mountmellick woman admitted stealing cosmetics worth over €500 from boots in Laois Shopping Centre. 

Mary Lou Nevin, 27, of 21 Grove Park, Mountmellick pleaded guilty to the theft of €549.45 of cosmetics from Boots on July 14 last. She also pleaded guilty to possession of a sharpened drill bit at Connolly Street in Moutmellick on July 5 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused produced a sharply pointed drill bit from her sleeve during an incident at Connolly Street. He confirmed the stolen goods were all recovered by Boots. He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the woman had no previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty. She said the woman said she had been carrying the drill bit for her own safety. 

She said the woman has mental health issues and was “in a relationship at the time of these offences which was very destructive.” 

 “She is hoping to get residential help in relation to her mental health issues,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted the theft was a “significant” one. 

“Mental health is not a crime but when you don’t take your medication and act like this then you are in trouble,” he said.  He fined the woman €100 for each of the two offences.