Judge tells Sligo mother fined for shoplifting that she needs to be positive influence on her children

A woman with three children was charged with stealing cosmetics worth €67.41 from Boots in Sligo. Gardaí received a report of theft and reviewed CCTV showing her placing the items into a pram. The cosmetics were recovered but were not in a resaleable condition. The court heard she had 60 previous convictions and that her last court appearance was in 2016. Her solicitor said Christmas was financially difficult and that she was trying to obtain gifts for her family. The judge questioned why the items were placed in a pram and was told she was looking after another child. The judge noted a pattern of offending and imposed a €250 fine, telling her to be a positive influence for her children.

"Gardaí received a report of a theft from the shop. Gardaí viewed CCTV footage which showed the defendant putting the cosmetics into a pram. The items were recovered but not in a re-saleable condition."

"Judge Cunningham noted that the defendant had a significant number of previous convictions. She also noted that 2016 was her last court appearance but prior to that there was a pattern of offending. Judge Cunningham said that she hoped that Ward's latest offence was not a start of another patten of offending. She added that the defendant did not come to any garda attention since."

"Judge Cunningham asked the defendant why she put the stolen items in a pram. Ward replied that she was looking after another child at the time. Ms Spellman said that Ward was trying to get gifts for her family. Judge Cunningham noted the circumstances and the number of children depending on Ward and fined her €250."

"She told the defendant that she had three children and that she had to be a positive influence in their lives."

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