Birr woman sentenced for stealing vodka and bedsheets

A woman from Birr was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment which was suspended for two years after pleading guilty to stealing bedsheets and vodka in Birr.

Appearing before Judge Andrew Cody in Tullamore District Court on Wednesday last was Lorraine Harty (21) with an address at 19 High Street, Birr.

On February 3, 2025, at Loughnane's Centra on the Tullamore Road in Birr it was alleged the defendant stole a large bottle of vodka (valued €20) and on the October 31, 2024, at Fayle's Hardware Store on Main Street in Birr, stole bedsheets (valued €150).

The court also heard that on December 31, 2024, the defendant was alleged to have stolen a large bottle of vodka (valued €22) from Loughnane's Centra on the Tullamore Road in Birr.

Sgt. Kearns, court presenter, told the court the defendant has previous convictions for theft.

The defendant's solicitor, Patrick Martin. said that since the alleged offences Ms Harty has repaired relations with her family and "engaged very well with the courts".

Mr Martin said that in a short space of time she had made changes and is working with the probation service and is "21-year-old single woman on social welfare and asking for one more chance".

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After reviewing probation reports Judge Andrew Cody sentenced Ms Harty to three months imprisonment for the theft of alcohol and nine months imprisonment consecutively for the theft of bedsheets on her own bond of €100 and suspended both sentences for two years.

The defendant was also sentenced to 80 hours of community service and must engage with the probation services for 12 months. Judge Cody took all other matters into consideration.