Two Romanian women pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court this week to stealing €294 worth of goods between them from Guiney’s, Castlebar.
Gardaí were notified about the thefts from the store on November 18 2012. Security staff had apprehended Carmen Macula, 69 Crestwood, Galway, and Luiza Macula, 63 Cluain Riocaird, Headford Road, Galway.
They were observed to take a number of items of children’s clothing and a black handbag. All the property was recovered.
Luiza Macula, a 24-year-old married mother of two, has six previous convictions. Carmen Macula (22 ), who is married with one child, has one previous conviction. Both women have been in Ireland for 15 years.
The court heard that they came to Castlebar on the bus with the intention of looking for gifts for December 6, which is a big holiday in their culture.
Judge Denis McLoughlin remanded both on continuing bail to February 20 for a probation report and if suitable they will each complete 100 hours community service in lieu of four months in prison.
