Woman with 104 previous convictions given prison sentence after stealing alcohol from supermarket in Tullamore

A woman who appeared on theft, assault and two public order offences made no reply when cautioned in the usual manner, Garda Stacey O'Brien told Judge Andrew Cody at last week's district court.

Before the court was Megan Gaffey, 58 Sarsfield Square, Athlone. On March 8, 2023 Ms Gaffey entered Lidl on Main Street, Tullamore, and stole alcohol to the value of €325, on the same date she stole €207 worth of alcohol.

When she was stopped by Irena Baznikova, Ms Gaffey told her to f... off, you c..., these are my bags and she pushed her back against the shelves.

Ms Gaffey had 104 previous convictions, 83 of those were for theft. Solicitor Donal Farrelly said Ms Gaffey was a former heroin addict but was now on methadone. He said the incident took place when she had been on meds that she shouldn't have been taking. She is in a much better place now and no longer taking meds, he said.

Referring to the pushing of Ms Baznikova, Mr Farrelly said it was a push and no one was injured. Ms Gaffey was out-of-it, he said.

Mr Farrelly said Megan Gaffey is hoping to get back to some sort of relationship with her children. He said she is a 26 year old woman who has had a tragic life.

Judge Andrew Cody questioned if someone with 104 previous convictions and who called the other woman a c... didn't know what she was doing.

Mr Farrelly asked the judge not to take away hope from her in relation to her children.

Judge Cody said that with 83 previous convictions for theft he had no option but to impose a custodial sentence.

He imposed a six month sentence to commence on the expiration of a sentence she received in Tullamore court on March 8, 2023

In addition he imposed a 12 month sentence and suspended the last three months for two years on her own bond of €100.