Stole groceries from Collooney filling Station

A teenage mother who pleaded guilty to stealing ¤50 of groceries from a filling station in Collooney has been warned she’ ll be sent to prison if there’s any hint of her re-offending between now and next March.

Ellen McDonagh, now 18 years of age, and with an address at Ring Road, Trim, Co. Meath, pleaded guilty at the District Court last week to stealing the rashers, sausages and other groceries from The Gate Filling Station in Collooney on 25 th August 2017, when she was aged 17 years.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that a Mr Terry McDonagh drove his camper van into the forecourt and a blonde girl, now known as the defendant, got out and went into the shop.

Sgt Butler said it was alleged that the man filled up ¤20 worth of fuel and made no effort to pay and then moved his van round to the side of the filling station.

Meanwhile the defendant took rashers, sausages and other groceries from the shop and “made no effort to pay for them.”

Sgt Butler said a number of people from the same family went in to the same station on the same date and their cases are before the courts also.

The court heard that McDonagh has four previous convictions: two at Cashel District Court on 24 th August for theft and two more for theft at Athlone District Court on 24 th October, where she was fined ¤250.

Her defence solictior Mr Eddie Henry said he had not been advised of these previous convictions by his client. The Judge called the defendant’s mother into the witness box.

“Why is she stealing?” he asked Mrs McDonagh.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “You know well,” the judge said.

The witness said she had no previous convictions herself but a number of her family did have criminal convictions, including the defendant’s father.

“Who taught them to steal?” asked Judge Kilrane.

The witness said she was “very sorry for it.” Judge Kilrane asked her what she was going to do about it.

“She promised me she’s going to stop because she has a baby and another one [sic],” she told the judge.

Judge Kilrane said McDonagh was “very young to be stealing.”

“Baby or no baby, if this continues, she’s going to prison,” he warned her mother.

He remanded the defendant on continuing bail to 28th March 2019 to monitor her behaviour.

“I’m telling you now, if there’s a credible allegation of re-offending, she’s going to jail,” he repeated. “This petty larceny is going to stop.”

“You’ve a role to play in ensuring this young lady stops stealing,” he said.

“I’ ll try my best,” said her mother. “Well try harder,” said the Judge.