‘I sniffed them’ - Longford woman addicted to sniffing deodorant pleads guilty to theft

A judge has requested a probation report on a Longford woman with 97 previous convictions who was pregnant, homeless and addicted to sniffing deodorant.

Marian Leddy of 8 Victory Court, Longford pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to three counts of theft on separate dates in June and November last year.

Sergeant Enda McNulty, court presenter, said the defendant entered Dealz on Market Square on June 18, 2024 where the offence occurred.

"She placed six cans of Dove deodorant from the shelf valued at €18, which she placed in her jacket, and she left the store without attempting to pay for the same."

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Sgt McNulty said the defendant was identified on CCTV and the property was not recovered. "She was arrested and she made admissions saying, 'It was me, I had addictions to sprays at the time, I sniffed them, I'm sorry about that again."

Sgt McNulty stated the defendant entered Boots in Longford on November 14, 2024 and she placed Christmas perfume sets valued at €370 into a shopping bag.

"She passed all points of payment and she did not make any attempt to pay for the items, she did not have permission to take those items.

"CCTV was viewed and the defendant was positively identified and she subsequently made full admissions."

Sgt McNulty said Ms Leddy walked into Elverys in Longford Retail Park on November 19, 2024 and and she placed a pair of On Cloud runners valued at 102 into a carrier bag before walking out without any attempt to pay.

He stated no property was recovered and the defendant was later identified on CCTV footage and subsequently arrested.

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Sgt McNulty said the defendant received a five month prison sentence on July 3, 2024, which was suspended for an 18-month period.

Ms Leddy had 97 previous convictions.

Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh, defending, said her client's life had radically changed since the offending and she had not been in trouble in recent times.

"She tells me that she simply stole in order to feed herself, she was homeless and she was pregnant at the time and she unfortunately has an addiction that she has now control over and is doing well.

"She has to focus her life on her little girl now and she asks that the court does not imprison her in all of the circumstances," Ms Mimnagh added.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted the five month suspended sentence, which was now 'in play' and had been triggered but she requested an updated probation report."

She remanded Ms Leddy on continuing bail and adjourned the case until November 18 next.

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