A woman with seven previous convictions for theft was before Castlebar District Court for stealing four packets of Pampers nappies and a can of Red Bull from a local shop.
Martina McDonagh with an address at Bay 1, Tara Lawns, Coolock, Dublin, and previously of the Industrial Estate, Breaffy Road, Castlebar, took the nappies and energy drink from Mace at Moneen on May 23 last.
The goods were valued at €38.05. The packets of nappies were recovered intact, the court heard.
Superintendent Pat Diskin told Judge Alan Mitchell that McDonagh had a raft of previous convictions, including seven for theft, one criminal damage, eight public order, and three assaults.
Solicitor for McDonagh, Gary Mulchrone, said his client (21 ) is married to a Castlebar man but is based in Coolock. Her previous convictions related to her teenage years, when she was encouraged by family members to carry out the acts.
She had been free of that sort of behaviour for three years when this latest incident occured. She simply picked up the nappies and walked out of the shop.
“She didn’t think she would be spotted,” explained Mr Mulchrone. “It was a stupid thing to do and she is holding her hands up.”
Judge Mitchell sentenced McDonagh to two months imprisonment but suspended the sentence for a period of 12 months.
