A 26-year-old mother of two who lobbed an item of clothing at a store manager was before Castlebar District Court this week for numerous theft offences.
On May 14 2011, gardaí were called to the Next store as Una McDonagh, 11 The Grove, Castlebar, along with another woman, had entered the shop even through she was barred. Manager of the store Stephanie Kelly informed gardaí that the women refused to leave and were aggressive to staff. McDonagh was abusive to staff members and she threw a child’s swimsuit at the store manager which narrowly missed her. The incident caused other customers to leave the shop.
On August 11 gardaí were again called to Next where the defendant and another woman had again entered the store. When the women left the store the security alarm sounded. McDonagh and the other woman refused to return to the shop. McDonagh said that she would “beat the head” of the manager, and when gardaí arrived she roared and shouted at them before leaving the scene.
McDonagh was also observed on the Garda CCTV system disposing of stolen property at a building on Stephen Garvey Way on August 1 2011. Gardaí arrived at the location and discovered €43.48 worth of stolen property from McLoughlin’s Bookshop. Another €21.91 worth of items from the bookshop was found in her possession.
The defendant also admitted to stealing a bottle of Coke and a bottle of Red Bull from Mace, Moneen, on September 3 2011, and groceries from Casey’s Centra on September 19 2011.
McDonagh who has six previous convictions is currently undertaking community service.
Judge Denis McLoughlin remanded her on bail to January 18, for mention, to see when a probation report would be available. The judge said if the report is favourable that McDonagh would be convicted and sentenced to 120 hours community service in lieu of six months in prison.
