Gardai say the fatal incident happened in Edenderry on Saturday evening
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07 Dec 2025
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07 Dec 2025
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The case was heard at Longford District Court
A judge has directed a Longford woman who stole a number of items from a supermarket to come up with compensation if she wants to benefit from a lighter sentence.
Sarah McDonagh (35) of 4 Killerney Park, Roscommon pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to the theft of goods valued at over €164 from Penneys in Longford Shopping Centre on December 23, 2024.
Sergeant Enda McNulty, court presenter, said the defendant entered the retail outlet at the shopping centre and she removed a number of items on display.
"She then removed the tags from all these items and placed them in her bag.
"The total value of these items was €164.30.
"The defendant then left the shop passing all points of payment and she made no attempt to pay for same.
Sgt McNulty said staff members stopped and spoke with the female outside the shop who handed all the items back but unfortunately they were no longer in a resaleable condition as the tags had been removed.
Gardaí were contacted and they attended the scene and Ms McDonagh was arrested a short time later.
The defendant had one previous conviction.
Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn, defending, said his client is certainly not known for this type of offending.
The legal representative stated they had not been aware prior to court that the items were not resalable and his client would be able to gather the money.
"She is on social welfare and it was around Christmas time and I think she was a very difficult time financially and she was picking up some gifts foolishly, she has no previous for this [type of offense].
"I don't think it will be happening again."
Judge Bernadette Owens asked Sgt McNulty if the defendant had come to garda attention since the aforementioned theft and he replied that she had not.
Judge Owens, who advised the defendant to stay out of trouble during the forthcoming months, decided to adjourn the case until March 10 next year to give Ms McDonagh time to gather the compensation money.
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