“I did not rob for myself, it was for my kids,” mother tells Longford court

Lisa Nevin (35) of 201 Dalton Park, Mullingar was charged with the theft of property to the value of €51.50 from Dealz, Market Square, Longford on July 16, 2022. The defendant consented to summary disposal of the matter in the District Court and entered a plea of guilty to the charge.

Sergeant Enda Daly said on the date of the incident CCTV recorded the defendant taking clothing items from the store. The items, children's clothing, were not recovered.

The defendant's solicitor, Fiona Baxter, said her client had been in an abusive relationship. She made arrangements to meet up with the father of her four children to get money off him as she was taking them on a holiday to Bettystown.

When the children's father said he had no money for her Nevin felt forced to take the clothes for her children, all of whom are under the age of 12.

Speaking to Judge Bernadette Owens the defendant, who has five previous convictions, said that not long before this incident she suffered a stroke and lost the power on one side of her body.

“I did not rob for myself, it was for my kids,” she told the judge. Ms Nevin said her husband had not made any maintenance payments and she found herself in a difficult situation.

She added: “This wasn't in my character. I wasn't always like this.”

Judge Bernadette Owens said: “Just because you were let down doesn't mean you can steal.”

The judge adjourned the matter to January 17, 2023 to allow the defendant the opportunity to save €52 to pay the injured party.