Longford District Court: €150 fine for petty theft

A defendant who stole €15 worth of goods from a Longford shop was fined €150 at Longford District Court.

Edward McDonagh (43) of 2 Victory Court, Earl Street. Longford was before the court facing two counts of theft. Sergeant Enda Daly said on June 29, 2022 at 12:51pm the defendant entered the Dealz retail outlet on Market Square, Longford and stole property.

Sg Daly described how McDonagh placed a number of items in a basket and concealed a pair of €9 shorts in his clothing. The defendant paid for the items in the basket then left the store. He returned later and purchased a number of stationery items. As he left the store he took a pair of flip flops valued at €6 without paying.

Solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client was entering a plea of guilty to the charges and had €20 in court as compensation to the injured party. Judge Bernadette Owens was told McDonagh had 112 previous convictions, including road traffic offences, drugs, theft, burglary and breaches of the public order.

Ms Mimnagh told how McDonagh spent €50 on items and did not have the price of the shorts. She explained that her client, the father of one child, is supported by the Simon Community. The solicitor said the defendant's last convictions was from 2016.

Taking the facts of the case into consideration Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €150, giving McDonagh six months to pay.