A woman who had fallen on hard times, while her husband had been serving a term of imprisonment, appeared before Athlone District Court on Wednesday october 5
Helen Corcoran of Rindoon, Clonbrusk, Athlone, pleaded guilty to the charge of the theft of groceries to the value of €22 from the Apple Green service station, Arcadia Retail Park, Coosan Road, Athlone on January 4, 2011.
Giving evidence Inspector Nicholas Farrell told the court that staff at the service station with the support of CCTV had later identified her.
Solicitor Mark Cooney represented the defendant and told Judge Seamus Hughes that at the time Ms Corcoran’s husband had been in prison and she was left with three young children, and the defendant had little or no money.
He told the court his client had been living with her mother for a time. However Ms Corcoran’s mother has since passed away. There was further tragedy too following the death of her seven-month-old baby, as a result of a cot death.
Mr Cooney said she has had some difficult times to deal with but that she has been reunited with her husband. He has since been released from prison and he no longer takes a drink and all is well at the moment.
Judge Hughes asked the defendant if she had stolen the groceries to feed her children and she agreed she had. He also remarked that she seemed to be a very quiet person.
Ms Corcoran’s only previous conviction was for a road traffic offence in 2004 where she received the Probation Act.
“Under the circumstances I will strike out the charge, as you seem to be a very sincere woman,” Judge Seamus Hughes ordered.
