A handbag thief, accused by the judge of “stringing along the probation service” and of showing “hostility” to its staff, was given one further remand in the District Court last week (March 10 ) to see if any improvement could yet be made in her behaviour.
Tina Lynch (38 ), of Dara Court, Patrick Street, Portumna, Co Galway stole a handbag and contents worth over €1,500 in the Athlone Towncentre on March 11, 2008 and was now in court on the second anniversary of her offence to have the latest probation report on her progress handed in.
Judge John Neilan was not impressed.
“She made many promises in the past, and they were all useless. The best place for her is in Mountjoy,” he said.
“We’re now visitng the second anniversary of these charges and since that date you have done nothing but engage in persistent criminal activity.”
“She has shown hostility to the probation officer who are only there to help you,” he noted.
The court also learned that Lynch was not attending her GP as mandated and that on March 4, she had been convicted of public order offences in Ballinasloe District Court.
“Unless Mr [Paul] Connellan [Lynch’s solicitor] can come up with a good reason, you’re going to Mountjoy,” said the judge.
“There’s no structure to this lady’s day. She speaks casually about doing a computer course but has as much interest in doing a computer course as I have of going to the moon. She’s stringing along the Probation Service, a very busy organisation.
“I accept this is a carrot and stick issue but the carrot was hung up on June 11. Why shouldn’t I send you to prison?”
“I don’t want to go to jail. I’m trying to do my best,” said Lynch.
“No you’re not,” said the judge.
“The court is concerned with your wellbeing and you don’t seem to be. You don’t seem to have any focus or interests. I don’t know what you do seven days a week.”
“There’s a lot going on,” said Lynch.
“Like what?” asked the judge.
“My mum’s not well,” answered the defendant.
“What help are you going to be to an elderly lady if you’re in jail?” asked the judge rhetorically before he adjourned sentencing until July 7 for a progress report from the Probation Service.
