Women plead guilty to €1,700 in thefts from Dunnes Stores

TWO women who were part of an operation which saw €1,700 worth of groceries stolen from Dunnes Stores in Enniscorthy, pictured, appeared before the District Court last week to plead guilty to theft charges.

Shirley O’Brien of Ballysilla, Ballymurn, was charged with two counts of theft from Dunnes Stores on September 29 and 30 of 2016. On the first occasion, €300 worth of stock was taken and was not recovered. On the second €600 worth of goods were stolen, but were recovered.

O’Brien’s solicitor said that she was a young mother who had given birth in November. He said that the Probation Report handed into the court outlined that she was at low risk of re-offending and that she was saving to pay compensation.

Upon hearing this Judge John Cheatle ordered her to pay her share of the €600 worth of goods that were taken - this came to €150. He gave her until June 13 to do this and said if the payment was made, he’d give her the benefit of the Probation Act.

The court was told that co-accused, Sian Gibbons of Barntown, Wexford, was involved in more of the incidents at Dunnes, including thefts to the value of €300 on September 16, €800 on September 25, €600 on September 29 and €600 on September 30 (the incident from which goods were recovered).

In total, Judge Cheatle calculated Gibbons’ share of the compensation due at €560 and again gave her until June 13 to pay over the money.

He said if she did this, she also would get the benefit of the Probation Act.