Longford woman on litany of shoplifting charges given further opportunity to engage with probation services

Sharon Clarke (40) with charge sheet addresses of 7 Fry Court Athlone Westmeath; 48 Camlin Meadows, Longford; 7 Midland Court, Longford; and 224 Boireann Bheag, Roscam, Galway was before Longford District court in regard to a number of offences.

The charges against the defendant include public intoxication on May 28 23 at Sheraton Hotel Gleeson St Athlone; theft cosmetics valued at €450 on October 23, 22 at Boots Ballymahon St, Longford; theft groceries €34.80 on June 30 23 at Supervalu Longford; on June 13, 23 at 8 St Michaels Rd, Longford stole property €770; on March 4, 23 at Coffee House 45 stole €20 cash; on June 1 and second 2023 Lloyds Pharmacy, stole cosmetics; on June 10 Wards Pharmacy stole cosmetics valued at €60; on June 12 at Lloyds Pharmacy stole cosmetics valued at €474; and on June 16 at Longford Garda Station was in the unlawful possession of methadone and diamorphine.

Solicitor Mark Cooney said that a probation report prepared for the court was “not particularly good reading”. The solicitor acknowledged his client had not kept all her appointments with the probation services, however he explained that Ms Clarke had lost her phone and this hampered her ability to stay in contact with the Probation Service.

Judge Owens stressed the precarious situation the defendant was in saying “a suspended sentence is in the mix”.

Mr Cooney said his client continues to engage with St Francis Farm on a weekly basis, but Judge Owens asked for evidence of such engagement.

Mr Cooney asked the judge to give his client a chance to engage with Probation Services. Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction to the most recent charges, one which relates to the theft of goods to the value of €34.80, the second to the possession of a small quantity of diamorphine.

The judge then adjourned the matter to September 12 next and gave gardaí liberty to re-enter matters if the defendant came to their attention.