Judge hits out at Mullingar mother who stole while on probation

A judge has told a court she will need a “bit more convincing” not to send a mother of four to jail after two incidents of shoplifting in Mullingar, one while she was under a probation order from the courts.

Shannon Donoghue (30), 9 Balnamona View, Charlestown, Mullingar, County Westmeath, pleaded guilty to the two thefts at Mr Price, Canal Court, Bellview, Mullingar, County Westmeath on September 19 last year, and at Tesco, Ashe Road, Mullingar, Westmeath some on November 10.

Sgt Sheila Kenny said in the first incident, Ms Donoghue placed a number of items under a child’s buggy before leaving the store a short time later without making any attempt to pay for the goods.

The Tesco incident, Sgt Kenny said, concerned the theft of a female tracksuit and jacket priced at just over €54.

Asked by Judge Owens whether Ms Donoghue had any previous convictions, Sgt Kenny said she 10, the most recent at Mullingar District Court in October last year.

That conviction, she added, led to a 12-month probation order being recorded, as Judge Owens warned of what potentially now awaited the accused. “Ms Donoghue has a problem now,” she said, as defence barrister Andrea Callan made a plea on behalf of the Mullingar woman.

She said her client was a single mother of four young children who had been under the strain of mental health challenges following the passing of her brother three years ago.

Ms Callan also asked the court to consider apportioning the appropriate weight to its sentencing, adding that every individual that comes before the court was exactly that.

“But equally so are the victims and people are trying to run businesses,” Judge Owens replied.

Ms Callan responded and asked for a period of time to allow Ms Donoghue gather up the required compensation and suggested a probation report to include an assessment for community service might be the most opportune way of disposing of the case.

Judge Owens consented to that request and remanded Ms Donoghue on bail to appear before the same court on April 14.

She said a final decision on what sentence might be imposed required further, and more extensive mitigation on her behalf.

“I will need a bit more convincing Ms Callan,” she concluded.