A Scottish woman who stole jewellery worth more than €300 immediately following her release from Garda custody for another theft has been sentenced for three months and given an additional five month suspended sentence.
At Galway District Court yesterday Margaret Horne (50 ) with an address at 1a The Brook, Ballina, Mayo, pleaded guilty to a number of thefts and for failing to appear in court.
Inspector Mick Coppinger told the court that on June 28, 2008, the defendant had entered Debenhams in Eyre Street and stole jewellery to the value of €23.50. On that same date she had entered Centra in Forster Street and stole two packets of biscuits, two cans of Red Bull, and three plastic bags worth €15.13.
Then on April 20, 2009, at 2.20pm Horne stole two bottles of perfume, valued €122.99, from Boots in Shop Street and had been stopped by security and arrested. Later that day, after being released from custody, she went to Claddagh Gold in Spanish Arch and stole jewellery worth €320. There was also a charge for failing to appear in court on May 11, 2009. The defendant also has five previous convictions for theft in July 2008.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client, who is orginally from Scotland, has been living in Ballina with her partner for three and a half years. She said that Horne is of little means, suffers from “serious disabilities” and is waiting for an operation. Ms Corcoran said that Horne had been in Galway for a hospital appointment and was under the influence when she committed these offences.
“She was released on bail and lo and behold she goes off and does more serious theft,” said Judge Mary Fahy, who was then told that the jewellery from Claddagh Gold had not been recovered.
“I think I threw it away,” said Horne.
For theft from Claddagh Gold a two month sentence was imposed. A one month consecutive sentence was then given for failing to appear in court, while one month concurrent sentences were given for the thefts at Boots and Centra. For the theft of jewellery at Debenhams Judge Fahy imposed a five month sentence suspended for 12 months on condition that Horne enter into her own bond of €300 to be of good behaviour and not come to Garda notice.
