Prison threat for woman who hid stolen clothes in pram
Unrecognizable Caucasian female shoplifting in a clothing store.
A Swinford woman who stole clothes valued at €62 has been ordered to repay the money within one week or she may face a prison sentence.
Ann Marie Maughan of Newpark Industrial Estate, Swinford pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to stealing goods from Dealz on Pearse St in Ballina on September 3, 2022.
Sgt Conor McShane said Gda Oisín McDonagh received a report of an alleged shoplifting incident and went to the store and spoke with manager Declan Brennan.
Maughan was captured on CCTV putting clothing items into her pram and leaving the store without paying for them.
Sgt McShane said the defendant was contacted and invited to make a voluntary caution statement and she made a full admission.
The stolen items were never recovered.
Solicitor Kathleen Henry said her client had recently had a baby and had a lot of related costs, but if she was given a month she could repay the money.
Judge Fiona Lydon stated she believed the defendant should have already compensated Dealz and would give Maughan one week to do the right thing.
“Otherwise, I might be inclined to impose a custodial sentence,” she added.
Judge Lydon indicated she may be willing to apply the Probation Act if the €62 was repaid within seven days.
