Suspended sentence for woman who stole €12 pyjamas from Ballyshannon shop
Ballyshannon District Court heard that the woman had a number of previous convictions
A 49-year-old woman has been handed down a suspended prison sentence for theft of a pair of pyjamas.
Geraldine Ward of Lawn Park, Ballyshannon was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, October 4.
She pleaded guilty to stealing pyjamas to the value of €12 from Homesavers, Saimer Court Shopping Centre, Ballyshannon on November 11, 2022.
Inspector Angela Cummins told the court that the defendant had 24 previous convictions, with most dating back to 2007 and 2008. Four of the convictions were for theft, most recently in 2018.
The inspector added that the shop had been compensated.
Solicitor Gerry McGovern said his client was a lady in pretty bad health who is ‘known to the gardaí around Ballyshannon for good things not for bad things.’
In relation to the offence, Mr McGovern said: “She had a young family member with her who said, ‘we want these pyjamas, we want these pyjamas.’
“Against her will she took the pyjamas and then realised she didn’t have the money with her.
“She thought she would go back and pay. When she was caught, they wouldn’t take the money.”
He said that a lot of her difficulties had been as a young woman growing up.
“She has long gone past that,” said the solicitor. “I would ask you to take into consideration that the last theft goes back to 2018.
“She is keen to put this behind her.”
Judge Sandra Murphy sentenced the defendant to one month in prison but suspended it for 12 months on condition that she not commit any offence and that she be of good behaviour.
Legal aid was granted to Mr McGovern.