Woman did not eat in three days, Kildare court told

A woman who appeared before a Kildare court had not eaten in three days.

A Naas District Court hearing that because the woman is not entitled to claim social welfare payments because she has no address.

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She was prosecuted for three alleged incidents including theft and the court was told she was carrying a bag with plastic bottles which were intended to be returned for cash under the Deposit Return Scheme.

Shauna Lawlor, 32, whose address was given as no fixed abode and Peter McVerry Trust, Eyre Street, Newbridge, was before the court on allegations of burglary, assault and theft on dates between May 23-31 at three locations in Newbridge.

Garda Shane Lehane told of arresting the defendant.

He recalled that a premises was entered at Canning Place, Newbridge and two phones and a laptop were taken. He said when someone tried to retrieve the items, which were not recovered, they were struck with a bat.

Gda Lehane claimed she got into a physical altercation with a woman on Eyre Street on May 23 and on the same date took a jacket worth €85 from JD Sports. He said one of the witnesses stated the woman had no teeth.

Gda Lehane said she was seen on CCTV and he objected to bail being granted, describing her as a drug addict with a volatile lifestyle.

He feared that if granted bail, the woman would not appear in court.

Cross examined by solicitor Tim Kennelly, the garda accepted that the defendant denied two of the allegations and said she could not remember the other.

“She has a long history of drug use and has a chaotic lifestyle," he said.

He said CCTV images indicate that the laptop was in a bag being carried by the defendant.

Mr Kennelly  said she was collecting plastic bottles to return them and he disputed the claim that she had a laptop, saying that if she had this could have been sold for in excess of what she would receive for the bottles.

Referring to the CCTV images, Mr Kennelly said it would not be unusual for her to be in that area.

Mr Kennelly pointed out that there was a delay in bringing the case to court which suggested that there was little concern on the part of the gardaí.

He also said the woman has an offer of a place in a treatment facility which she may lose if she goes into custody.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said he has known the defendant since she was very young.

He noted that the woman had lost teeth and said she is “an example of the living hell on earth caused by illicit drugs.”

The judge decided against granting bail, saying the garda objections to this were well founded and strict bail conditions "would not be appropriate.”

He adjourned the ase and remanded her in custody, saying that he would consider allowing her to avail of in-house treatment if she secures a place in a treatment facility.