Mother has ‘scant regard for law’

A 41-year-old mother has been warned she will go to jail if she so much as steals a box of matches.

Rose McGinley, 97 Riverside Drive, Red Barns Road, Dundalk, has also been told by Judge Brennan that she has scant regard for the law.

The court heard she had paid €1,802 compensation in respect of a large number of shoplifting offences, committed over a 12to-14 month period, and that case was up for review.

Details were also given of new matters, starting on 11 June, 2015, when Charles McGinley, a learner-driver, accompanied by the accused, was stopped at Point Road. She subsequently failed to produce documents.

On 1 April last, at Londis, Castletown Road, there was an altercation, after which Rose McGinley left the shop, having placed a number of items, valued €26.10, under her coat.

On 9 June, Inspector Martin Beggy continued, she caused €400 to sliding doors at a building in the hospital, by forcing them open. As a consequence, the doors were not operational for a week. Solicitor Dermot Monahan said his client is her own worst enemy, and had missed appointments with the probation service.

Her husband is doing a life sentence, and her two eldest sons are serving three years. She is at the edge of a cliff.

The judge imposed a total sentence of six-months, suspended for 12 months; in addition to a five-year driving disqualification.

Some charges were taken into consideration.