Woman jailed for series of thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone

A woman who “has never gotten to grips with her drug problem” was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to a series of thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone.

Sharon Clarke (41) 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 Judge Bernadette Owens at 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 of cosmetics valued at €450 on October 23, 2022 at Boots Ballymahon St, Longford; theft of groceries €34.80 on June 30, 2023 at SuperValu Longford; on June 13, 2023 at8 St Michael's Rd, Longford stole property €770.

The defendant was also charged with on March 4, 2023 at Coffee House 45 stealing €20 cash; on June 1 and 2, 2023 at 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 indicated that his client had pleaded guilty to all the charges before the court. Mr Cooney told Judge Bernadette Owens his client was in custody on matters pending before Athlone court.

The legal representative said there was an underlying issue at the heart of his client's offending, that was her dependence on drugs. Mr Cooney explained that she had engaged with the Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS) in Athlone.

“Ms Clarke thought she had turned a corner, but things started to unravel. She has never gotten to grips with her drug problem. Sharon is taking steps in the right direction. She now has to make the best of her time in custody and she is asking the court to take that into account in sentencing,” Mr Cooney said.

Noting that the defendant had 45 previous convictions Judge Owens referred to the fact that some were committed while on bail. The judge also said efforts by Ms Clarke to engage with residential drug treatment had “never materialised”.

Judge Owens imposed three consecutive prison sentences; the first for six months, the second for six months and the third for five months, however she suspended the five month custodial term for a period of two years as an incentive to encourage Ms Clarke to engage with addiction services upon the defendant's release.