Mother of four drove to Sligo for a ‘ theft spree’

A 32- year- old mother of four who drove from Newbridge to Sligo was stopped as she left on the Inner Relief Road and stolen goods from a number of shops worth over € 2,000 was found in her car.

Before the court was Margaret Connors, Green Road, Newbridge who admitted handling stolen toys from Smyths on December 17th 2014 including Playstation4 worth € 799.96, a doll worth € 54 and scooters valued at € 49.58.

Connors also pleaded guilty to handling Benefit makeup worth € 1,077, the property of Cara Pharmacy, Quayside Shopping Centre, € 661 worth of clothes from River Island and an Addidas tracksuit valued at € 97 from Lifestyle.

Connors admitted she had set off for Sligo that day to steal with two girls who were about 17 and her own 11- year- old child.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said the thefts were captured on CCTV and Gardaí stopped a car on the Inner Relief Road and property worth € 2,738.94 was recovered.

Connors was subsequently arrested and admitted driving others to Sligo knowing they were going to steal.

The defendant had one previous conviction for withholding information under the Theft Act in Kilmallock, County Cork. in 2013.

Mr Eddie Henry, solicitor ( defending) pleaded the defendant was five months pregnant and two of her four children had medical conditions. One of them had spent five months in hospital while another, who was aged 7 was diabetic.

Mr Henry said Connors wasn’t directing operations as such but became aware of the stolen items afterwards. She wasn’t a ‘ Fagan type mastermind’ he said.

Mr Henry said those with her had “gone on a bit of spree and hid things from her.”

He read a line from statement made to Gardaí by one of the girls with her in which she said she had placed a stolen item in the boot of the car so ‘ Margaret couldn’t see it.’

Judge Kilrane noted the defendant failed to turn up in court to face the charges on two occasions. Connors said she had been homeless for six months and was living in emergency accommodation in a hotel in Newbridge for five months. She and her family had since got a council house.

Judge Kilrane initially remanded Connors in custody for a week for sentencing and told Mr Henry that he completely disagreed that she wasn’t a Fagan type figure.

“She brought a car load of thieves down to Sligo with a view to stealing,” he said.

He added that it was a shocking offence and Connors was effectively teaching her children the art of stealing.

In the afternoon, Mr Henry asked if he could address the court on the matter once more saying he had visited Connors at lunch time at Sligo Garda Station and she was in a very distraught state. He told the court that Connors was on medication for a heart complaint and needed it daily but she didn’t have it with her.

Also, her seven year old would only allow her administer her three times daily insulin injections.

“I’m asking for bail to allow the defendant get her affairs in order prior to sentencing. I’m asking on humanitarian grounds and your own compassion,” said Mr Henry. Called to the witness box again, Connors admitted that she did set out that day to steal and said she was ashamed.

Judge Kilrane adjourned the matter to February 2nd for monitoring with liberty granted in the meantime if there was any reoffending. She’s also to stay out of Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Longford.