Woman stole clothing from Tullamore store and was smashing bottles

A Tullamore woman was charged with theft in Tullamore District Court last week. Jenny Coonan, Apartment 4, Sophia Housing, High Street, Tullamore, was charged with stealing €41 worth of clothing from a Christmas gifts section of Lidl on Main Street, Tullamore. The incident happened on December 12, 2023.

The 32 year old woman was also charged with public order offences. These took place on June 23, 2024 at Park Court, Tara Street, Tullamore, when she was intoxicated in public and was engaged in threatening behaviour.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court that the stolen items were men's jackets.

He also pointed out that on June 23 the defendant was “highly intoxicated” and was “smashing bottles on the ground while drinking from a Smirnoff Vodka bottle.”

The Gardaí were called to the scene by concerned people and when they arrived the defendant verbally abused them.

The Sergeant said the defendant had 47 previous convictions, including 15 convictions for public order offences.

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said his client recently completed a hairdressing course.

“This incident happened during the anniversary of her late partner's death. The grief of contemplating this caused a relapse on her part. She was in a bad place mentally.”

The court was told that Ms Coonan pleaded guilty to the offences in a previous court sitting and a Probation Officer's Report was now ready for the Judge to read.

After reading the report Judge Susan Fay said it was a positive report.

“She has done a lot of work improving herself, which is good to see,” remarked the Judge. “I see also that the €41 has been repaid.”

She ordered that Ms Coonan engage in an 18 month Probation bond and she also continue to engage with CADS (the Community Alcohol & Drug Service).