Woman jailed for theft of tobacco from Lifford shop

A mother-of-three with 82 previous convictions has been jailed after stealing tobacco from a shop in Lifford.

Noreen Foley stole €35 worth of tobacco from Applegreen, Letterkenny Road, Lifford, on March 26, 2023.

The 36-year-old, with an address at Moore Cottage, Glencar Scotch, Letterkenny, appeared at Letterkenny District Court via video link from Limerick Prison, where she is currently serving a sentence.

Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that Foley entered the premises and made off without paying for the products, valued at €35.

Among 82 previous convictions amassed by Foley include those for offence of theft and public order incidents. Foley is due for release on March 20.

Mr Gordon Curley, solicitor representing Foley, said his client is a mother of three children who has had ‘a difficult life’.

“On the day in question she was going through a tough time,” Mr Curley said. “She had very little money, she just needed cigarettes and she took a chance.”

Mr Curley said Foley wished to tender an apology to the court.

Noting her early plea of guilty, Judge Ciaran Liddy sentenced Foley to one month in prison for the incident.