Laois woman stole from shops within two weeks of being jailed for eight months

A woman with over 100 previous convictions admitted stealing from shops while out on temporary release just over a week after getting jailed for eight months. 

Theresa Conroy (39) of Apartment 3 Hynds Square, Portlaoise, was accused of stealing products valued at €79.80 from Centra, Main Street, Portarlington and groceries and clothing valued at €1,234.36 from Tesco, Tullamore, Co Offaly on August 10, 2025. She was further accused of stealing goods valued at €147.25 from Eurogiant, Portlaoise on August 13 and stealing two jackets valued at €36 from Dunnes, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise on September 15 and meat items valued at €37.25 from Lidl in Portlaoise on September 16, 2025.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused woman was identified in Eurogiant because she was known to management and Garda Ronan Maher viewed CCTV in Tesco and recognised the defendant. He said she had 101 previous convictions. 

Judge Susan Fay said she had sentenced the woman in September yet she was out. “Two weeks after being sentenced in this court she was released,” she noted. 

Solicitor Brian Duffy said “she had temporary release not long after being sentenced by yourself.” 

Judge Fay recalled sentencing the woman and she asked how long the woman had served. 

“A week and a day, something like that,” Mr Duffy replied. 

Sgt Kirby said he knows the defendant for a long time. He said between 2010 and 2024 she hadn’t come to the attention of gardaí.  He said whatever happened in March of 2024 caused the woman to spiral out of control. 

Judge Fay asked the probation officer, Shane McManus, to carry out a same day community service assessment. 

On assessing the woman, Mr McManus said the woman was still in active addiction. “Her addiction has now migrated over to crack cocaine,” he said. He noted the woman had issues with the local chemist and had to go to Dublin for methadone. He said he didn’t believe she would be a suitable candidate for community service. 

Mr Duffy said the woman is spending €18.75 a day to travel to Dublin to get methadone. He said given the right conditions and circumstances she could be suitable for probation supervision. 

Mr Duffy told the court that her guilty pleas were saving the State time and money and he said some of the matters pre-dated her sentencing on September 1. He said she was to look for grief counselling as she had lost both parents and a brother in recent years. 

Mr McManus said the woman had engaged with the probation services in the Dochas woman’s prison. Mr Duffy said she had engaged with the addiction services in the community. 

Sgt Kirby said the woman “was a good citizen” prior to March of 2024. “She is looking well today,” he remarked. 

Judge Fay said “I gave her an eight month sentence and she served about a week.” She asked if there was an objection to bail. 

Sgt Kirby said that he had to be conscious of the businesses in town. He said she has addiction issues and if bail was being considered he would have to look for very stringent conditions to be attached. 

Mr McManus expressed his belief that residential treatment would be the best option for the woman. 

Mr Duffy said the woman had displayed an ability to engage with services. He said she would be willing to adhere to any bail conditions the court would impose. 

Judge Fay said she would like to see an up to date probation report. She asked if the woman would consent to a remand in custody while that was carried out. 

Mr Duffy asked if it would be possible to have the report completed in a week. Mr McManus said it would take four weeks. Mr Duffy said his client was not willing to consent to a four week remand in custody. 

Judge Fay then imposed a one year prison sentence on the defendant.