Garda got his teeth into search for tooth brush thief

A GARDA traced a mother of three to her home after the theft of two electrical tooth brushes valued at €245 from a Supervalu store in Oldcastle, Trim District Court heard.

Lyndsey Donaghy (36), of Hamptonwood Drive, Finglas offered a guilty plea to the offence in the course of the hearing of the case on Thursday last. Judge Eirinn McKiernan sentenced her to two months in jail.

A car was identified at the scene on CCTV, and a check on the registration led the Garda to call to the defendant’s address.

He observed the vehicle parked outside what was an apartment complex. He knocked on the door and a female answered who the Garda identified from the CCTV footage. She denied any involvement.

The theft on 15th October 2023 was reported by the owner after the defendant entered the store with a male and bought items.

The female concealed the tooth brushes and returned to the premises and removed them from the store.

The defendant appeared in court while the evidence was being given, and indicated that she was guilty.

Defence barrister James O’Brien asked for time to speak with his client on her arrival in the courtroom, following which he told the Judge that the defendant had €200 to pay towards compensation.

Sgt Peter Clarke, Court Presenter, said the defendant had 21 convictions for offences, including thefts, one in January last year. Judge McKiernan fixed cash bail for the defendant to appeal.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme