Stole hair straightener from salon while on Portlaoise jail visit

A  woman stole a hair straightener while in Portlaoise visiting a prisoner, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told.  

Suzanne McKeever, 32, of 4 Rochford House, Patrick Street, Dublin 8 admitted stealing the GHD Straightener from a salon in Portlaoise on March 3 last.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant walked into Company Hair Salon and picked up a hair straightener valued at €159 before walking out. 

“Staff followed her and held Ms McKeever until Gardai arrived,” he said.

Sgt Kirby said the defendant has nine previous convictions, seven of which were for theft. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client has “significant underlying issues” and is in receipt of disability allowance. 

She had an “egregious addiction to benzodiazepine” which she detoxed from, he said. He said she also suffers from PTSD and epilepsy. 

“It was opportunistic and there is no excusing the behaviour,” said Mr Fitzgerald.  

He said his client was taking the matter very seriously. 

“There is a letter of sincere apology,” he said. 

“She was visiting a family member in the Midlands Prison,” Mr Fitzgerald explained in relation to why the defendant was in Portlaoise. 

He said the woman was entering a guilty plea and “appears to be on the right track” now. 

Judge Andrew Cody sentenced the woman to six months in prison, suspended for two years. He granted legal aid.