Woman with 101 convictions left Kildare supermarket without paying for trolley of goods worth €1,370

A woman with 101 previous convictions appeared before Naas District Court over the theft of goods from Dunnes Stores.

Melissa Joyce, 35, whose address was given as 36 Kilshane Drive, Finglas was prosecuted for an incident at the store located at Mill Street, Maynooth, on March 11, 2023.

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Sgt Mary Meade told the court that the defendant left with a large trolley containing mixed goods with a value of €1,364.

The sergeant added the woman left without any attempt to pay and no items were recovered.

The woman left in a car and was identified on CCTV.

It was stated that 17 of her previous convictions were under the Theft Act.

Barrister Aisling Murphy said the defendant is serving a sentence and has three months left to serve.

Ms Murphy added the defendant began stealing  because people started calling to the family home after a brother got into trouble over drugs and she began stealing to clear the drug debt.

The court heard that her brother was addicted and the woman will miss her child’s communion ceremony because she is in custody.

The court also heard that she has four children and they live with her mother while she is in custody.

Ms Murphy also said the majority of her offences arose from road traffic incidents.

Asked by Judge Desmond Zaidan for the reason behind the offending, Mr Musphy said there was a long history of mental health issues in the family.

She added the defendant is doing very well in prison and has enhanced status. She has undertaken courses, learn reading and writing and has undertaken a course which obliges her to engage with the organisers for two years after her release.

Judge Zaidan imposed a six month custodial sentence.