Garda praised for store theft probe

A Meath based Garda was complimented on how he tracked down and brought a shoplifter to court which resulted in her conviction on Thursday last.

Trim District Court heard that Garda Bermingham obtained and checked the registration of a car in which two women were seen to make off with over €800 worth of groceries from Ashbourne on a date early last June.

This led the Garda to an address in Finglas where he found the vehicle and arrested Jolene McDonagh with an address at Finglaswood Road, Finglas. The 41 year-old mother of four, who was stated to have five previous convictions under the theft act, was sentenced to four months in jail. Bail was fixed for her to appeal.

She was charged with the theft of the groceries from Tesco in Ashbourne. CCTV was shown in court of two women entering the store and filling two trolleys with groceries and pushing them out of the store going through the scanning area without paying for the goods.

Garda Bermingham said he received a report of the theft after which the suspects entered a vehicle. The Garda said he viewed CCTV footage which was downloaded from the store. He made enquiries about the suspect vehicle and went to an address at Finglas. He knocked on the door and the defendant who he identified as a suspect answered the door. The suspect vehicle was seized at the address.

Paul Noctor barrister said that the defendant paid €32 worth of the goods. She had nothing to do with the other lady’s trolley.

When charged she approached the other lady and was threatened under penalty not to mention the latter’s name. Sergeant Peter Clarke, prosecuting, said that it was a case of the two women acting in concert, and it didn’t matter whether Miss McDonagh took one or all €800 worth of the goods.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan said “well done” to Garda Bermingham, remarking there was a lot of work involved in his investigation.

Mr Noctor said the defendant was more than willing to pay compensation. Judge McKiernan asked why she had not paid beforehand. Mr Noctor said she was not willing to pay the full amount of €800. Judge McKiernan refused to suspend the sentence.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.