Woman in court accused of stealing groceries from county Longford shop worth €800

A mother of three has been ordered to sign on at her local garda station in Letterkenny three times a week, despite requests from the arresting Garda that her bail be refused. 

Thirty seven year old Lisa Mongan of 61 Cashel Park, Lisnennan, Letterkenny, was arrested by Garda Cregan on October 13 at the address of Knock, Lanesboro, before later being charged.

She made no reply. Ms Mongan’s arrest came on foot of a bench warrant that had been issued in Galway Court on October 7 after she failed to appear.

Ms Mongan also stands accused of stealing groceries from SuperValu in Lanesboro worth €820.20, and for driving without a licence and insurance.

Garda Cregan objected to the court granting bail to Ms Mongan based on her bench warrant history. The court heard that the accused had 29 previous bench warrants and that “she’s taken four this year.”

Judge Gearty said she would fix conditions relating to Ms Mongan’s bail which she believed would also satisfy the concerns of the Gardaí.

As the court had been informed that Ms Mongan was currently residing in Letterkenny, Judge Gearty suggested she sign on at Letterkenny Garda Station three times a week, namely Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

She also implemented a bond of €200 which, she informed Ms Mongan, would be forfeited if she did not turn up at court.

Judge Gearty ordered the accused to turn up for all court appearances and remanded her on good behaviour until November 11 for directions.

Ms Mongan’s legal representation explained she was awaiting a place in Cuan Mhuire rehabilitation centre and so they wanted to flag that she was next on the list in case the place in question became available and thus rendering Ms Mongan unable to attend.

“I’ll excuse her on November 11 if she’s in Cuan Mhurie but I will need a note,” Judge Gearty reasoned. “I certainly don’t want it to come in the way of her attending Cuan Mhuire.”

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