Woman stole from store three days in a row
The defendant pleaded guilty to the offences.
A Ballina woman who committed a spree of thefts in three consecutive days from a local retailer has told a district court judge that she "doesn't know what came over her".
Annalisa Sweeney, aged 26, of Millview Crescent, Ballina appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy at the local district court where she pleaded guilty to three counts of theft.
Sgt John Reilly told the court that the thefts occurred at SuperValu, Bunree Road, Ballina on April 4, 5 and 6 last. On April 4, €18.93 worth of goods were taken from the store without payment. The following day, items worth €31.45 were stolen and on April 6, €8.18 of items were taken.
Gardaí received a report from SuperValu on April 7 of the series of thefts that had occurred. CCTV footage was viewed of the three days and each one showed a female concealing items and leaving the store without paying. Staff identified the female as Annalisa Sweeney. The total value of the goods taken was €58.56 and no property was recovered.
Gardaí spoke to Sweeney who admitted her involvement in the thefts. The defendant has no previous convictions.
Solicitor Denis Molloy said this incident was out of character for Sweeney, who has never been in court before and she had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
He said the defendant took all non-essential items such as Coca-Cola, sweets and ice-cream. Mr Molloy told the court that when he asked his client why she had committed the thefts, she said she “doesn’t know what came over her” but now realises the “serious error of her ways” and was willing to pay full compensation to SuperValu.
Judge Murphy said she was concerned at this "spree" of thefts and was going to adjourn the case until June 9 next to allow Sweeney a chance to pay compensation to the supermarket.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
