Store bans for repeat offenders

TWO Dundalk people have been banned from certain Dundalk stores by the new district judge in Dundalk.

A Dundalk mum of eight has been banned from two toy stores and a local petrol station after she pleaded guilty to thefts, while a man who admitted stealing Christmas decorations from a store in the Marshes and a bike from Halfords has been banned from those shops.

Judge John Coughlan amended the bail of Teresa McDonagh, (42), 102 Mullaharlin Park, who admitted thefts from 2016.

On September 14, she stole two Nerf upgrade kits, two Star Wars vehicles, a Nerf Rapid Strike gun, a Nerf Strike Elite and a Nerf N-Blaster from Argos at the Retail Park.

In addition, she stole a Baby Annabelle and a Baby Lala doll from Smyths on the same day. The total value of the stolen items is around €200, the court was told.

McDonagh also pleaded guilty to stealing a bag of coal and sticks from the Maxol, Castletown Road on July 23.

Solicitor Paula Tiernan said her client has eight children and had brought €200 to court by way of compensation.

But Judge Coughlan said: ‘She can keep the money for her children. She is on bail so as part of her bail conditions, she has to stay out of Argos, Smyths and the Maxol’.

He adjourned the case to July 12 for an updated probation report.

And, in an unrelated case, Noel McDonagh, (41), 54 Grange Drive, Muirhevnamor, was banned from going into Halfords and Eurogiant in the Marshes.

McDonagh had previously admitted stealing Christmas decorations from Eurogiant on November 14 and 16 last year. The value of the items was €140 and he also pleaded guilty to the theft of a €130 bike from Halfords on October 30.

Solicitor Frank McDonnell said his client ‘is a man of poor means’ but he has been previously been found suitable for community service.

Judge Coughlan amended McDonagh’s bail conditions to include that he stay out of Eurogiant and Halfords and adjourned the case for an updated probation report to July 12.