‘Crime spree’ woman banned from shops in town in the Midlands

A woman who went on a ‘crime spree’ was warned she would face jail if she entered any shops in Portlaoise over the Christmas period. 

Theresa Conroy, 37, of 7 Green Mill Lane, Portlaoise admitted stealing goods valued at over €1,000 from shops in Portlaoise in November and December 2023. 

She was charged with stealing groceries valued at €307 from Tesco in Laois  Shopping Centre on November 29. On November 30, she stole groceries valued at €71.95 from Lidl in Portlaoise. On December 1, she stole perfume valued at €43.90 from Laois Pharmacy. On December 4, she took curtains valued at €119 from Harry Corry and goods from Homesavers valued at €107.96. On December 14, she stole groceries valued at €100.15 from Lidl Portlaoise and on December 19, she stole Groovy Lights valued at €200 and alcohol valued at €82.90 from Lidl.  

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client hadn’t come to the attention of gardai in 13 years prior to these thefts. She explained that the woman’s brother had died and his death triggered the offending.

“He was dead for a number of days and she found him,” Ms Fitzpatrick explained. 

She said the woman had relapsed to drug abuse but was now engaging with a methadone programme in Portlaoise. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted “these thefts are every second or third day”. He said the woman needed to get treatment. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was seeking treatment and she asked that the woman be allowed to get treatment while on bail.

“She had been taking drugs and that led to the offending,” she said.  

“She has lost two brothers to drug addiction Judge and she found both of them,” explained Ms Fitzpatrick. 

She said the woman was from a large family and was being supported in court by another brother who didn’t have any difficulties with addiction. She explained that the woman is now weaning off methadone.

“She is reducing by one millilitre a week, so it is going to take her four or five months,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

Judge Cody said thefts amounting to €1,032.77 had taken place in the space of three weeks. 

“This is a one woman almost crime spree here in the town of Portlaoise,” said Judge Cody. 

He granted bail on strict conditions including daily sign on at Portlaoise Garda Station, a curfew and a ban from shops in Portlaoise. 

“If she looks into a shop you will be into the Dochas Centre before you know where you are,” he warned the woman. 

“Turkey and ham will have to be bought for you,” he said. 

He remanded her on bail to Portlaoise District Court on January 5.