Widow ordered to undertake 140 hours community service

A 35 year old widow with four young children from Navan was ordered to do 140 hours community service following thefts that she carried out locally at the end of last year.

Christine McDonagh Tailteann Drive, Navan appeared on Thursday before Trim District Court where she offered pleas of guilty to the offences which occurred on dates in November and December last, two on the same day.

In one instance she stole children’s toys and beauty products, value €444 from TK Maxx in Navan Retail Park. She took €20 of groceries from Choice in Navan Shopping Centre, and groceries again on the other occasion, value €23, which included ice cream from Applegreen in the Retail Park.

Court Presenter Sergeant Declan Brady said a search of the defendant’s home and recovered the items after the theft of the toys.

The store manager recovered some of the items taken from Choice.

Barrister Paul Noctor said that the defendant’s husband died recently. A positive probation report on the defendant was before the court. The defendant told Judge McKiernan that she was trying to change her life.

Judge McKiernan remarked she was not impressed by the way that the defendant approached the case.

Witnesses from the stores had to come to court because she looked for a hearing date.

The defendant then belatedly offered a guilty plea. It was stated that the defendant had previous convictions, including for thefts.

Judge McKiernan warned the defendant if she appeared back before her, she would go into custody.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme