A woman described in court as a habitual shoplifter has been jailed for six months after pleading guilty to two counts of theft.
Catherine Goulding of Bun Daire, Kinnegad stole a picture and frame valued at €25 from Rochforts in Mullingar and later stole perfume valued at €25.84.
The items were recovered.
Of her 51 previous convictions, 26 are for theft and 13 are for failing to appear in court. She was unlawfully at large when she was brought before the court by Sgt Tooher, who carried her methadone in a paper bag.
Judge Olann Kelleher was initially reluctant to hear the case because of fears that Ms Golden might be under the influence of some intoxicant but this was rejected by the mother of one, who said “no, I’m not”.
Mr Louis Kiernan said there had been a genuine reason why she missed her last court appointment, which was that her own house had been burgled the day before and Gardaí had been informed.
He described his client as “a habitual shoplifter who needs help”, and said the only place she would get that help was in prison.
Ms Goulding told the court that she is on a methadone maintenance programme and has managed to reduce her intake from 110ml to 50ml.
“I need help and I want the help and I’ll finish my detox and go to a residential centre,” she said.
Returning her to the Dóchas Centre at Mountjoy for six months, the judge wished her good luck.
