Erris woman gets suspended jail term for theft from Ballina pharmacy
The court heard that the defendant is already before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court for two burglary offences.
An Erris woman, who is already before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on charges of burglary, has received a six-month suspended prison term at Ballina District Court.
Antoinette McHale, of Bunnahowen, Glencastle, pleaded guilty to the theft of Armani perfume from Molloy’s Pharmacy in Ballina on November 30, 2022.
Sgt John O’Reilly said the theft was reported by the store and Gardaí identified McHale as the culprit. She did not attempt to pay for the perfume and it was not recovered. She has three previous convictions.
Solicitor John Gordon said his client, a 57-year-old mother of four grown-up children, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and has paid full compensation. McHale has battled a chronic gambling addiction and pleaded guilty earlier this year at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to two burglary charges. The solicitor stated the Circuit Court judge was aware of this matter and had remanded McHale to next February's court for an updated probation report.
Mr Gordon said his client recently completed a 14-week programme at Cuan Mhuire for gambling addiction and is genuinely remorseful.
Judge Lydon suspended the prison sentence and directed McHale to engage with the Probation Service.
