Suspended sentence for woman who stole groceries from Longford supermarket

A 25 year old mother of one who pleaded guilty to stealing groceries was given a three month prison sentence, but had it suspended for one year at Longford District Court.
Amy McDonagh of 17 Belcamp Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin 17 was before Judge Bernadette Owens facing a charge that on July 17, 2022 at SuperValu, Ballymahon, Longford she stole groceries to the value of €41.93.

Solicitor for Ms McDonagh, John Quinn, said his client was entering a plea of guilty to the charge.
Sergeant Mark Mahon said the matter before the court was as outlined in the charge sheet and told the judge the items were not recovered. Sgt Mahon informed the judge the defendant had 23 previous convictions, with 20 of them for theft offences.

Mr Quinn said his client had brought €45 to court on the day of the hearing to pay to the injured party.
He said Ms McDonagh is the mother of a three year old son, and lives at the home of her parents as she is awaiting a council house.

The solicitor said the defendant was in Ballymahon on a camping trip: “She hopes to get treatment, and is making every effort in this regard. It is a form of kleptomania,” Mr Quinn said.

Judge Owens rejected this and imposed a conviction, sentencing Ms McDonagh to three months in prison, but suspended it for 12 months. The judge concluded by warning the defendant that if she came before the court in the next year the sentence would be activated.