A woman who was found in possession of stolen jewellery was sentenced to jail at this week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Detective Garda Declan Sweeney outlined to the court that on July 25 2011 gardaí were investigating a burglary of cash and jewellery from a house in Breaffy. A search warrant was obtained on July 28 to search the home of Anna Kurpyta, 55 Victoria Place, Castlebar. Kurpyta had been a cleaner in the house.
Located in her upstairs room was a five diamond gold ring valued at €1,850 and a three diamond drop pendant to the value of €1,179. The defendant said that she did not know where this jewellery came from. The jewellery was not from the burgled house, but from the home of a sister of the owner, a house which the defendant also cleaned.
Kurpyta denied all knowledge, however at this week’s court sitting she pleaded guilty to handling the stolen property.
Solicitor for the defendant, Caroline Barry, said that Kurpyta, who is from Poland, has been living in Ireland since 2005 and is currently employed as a cleaner in Mayo General Hospital. Ms Barry said that her client is adamant that she knows nothing about the burglary. Kurpyta has no previous convictions.
Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined her €500 and sentenced to three months in prison. Recognisance was fixed.
