Judge hears Longford woman who was in a ‘very bad place’ stole multiple coal bags

A judge has directed that a probation report is completed on a Longford town woman who stole coal worth more than €70 from a local town service station.

Jane Clarke of 4 Pine Grove, Clonbalt Woods pleaded guilty at the local district court to the theft at McGrath’s petrol station, Sligo Road on November 19, 2024.

Sergeant Enda McNulty, said the defendant was observed on CCTV placing coals and other items valued at €72 into her car at at 7.20pm.

“She made off without making any attempt to pay for same.

“When confronted by Gardaí she admitted that she was aware what she was doing was wrong and she made a caution statement to Gardaí in respect of that.

The defendant had 16 previous convictions and several previous convictions for theft.

Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said his client is a recovered heroin addict and he stated his client was in a ‘very bad place’ at the time of this offence.

Mr Gearty said the defendant was in the company of another person on the day who was driving the vehicle and he suggested that unnamed person was ‘perhaps leading the whole thing’.

Mr Gearty said his client had some issues to deal with.

“But in any event drink did play a part in this matter and she is asking for a tiny bit of time to come in with €72 to repay back the people who were down that as a result of what happened.

“In fairness to her she acknowledged her guilt quickly when challenged by the Gardaí and much more importantly she put her actions where my mouth is so to speak by getting off the hard stuff.

“As you can see by her judge she has moved on significantly from where she was.”

Judge Bernadette Owens requested the probation report and she adjourned the case until April 14, 2026 for finalisation.

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