Kildare Village 'attracts more shoplifters than any other shops' - judge
It was claimed the woman had a detagger, used to remove security tags
The Kildare Village designer shopping outlet attracts a higher percentage of shoplifters.
That’s according to Judge Desmond Zaidan who told Naas District Court the retail destination "attracts more shoplifters than any other shops” at least in the Kildare area.
Before the court was Rebecca Lacatus, 30, whose address was given as Brewery Street, Castlebellingham and she was described as a Romanian national who has a family.
The was prosecuted for taking goods valued at between €15 and €565 from Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Guess.
She was further charged with having a detagger, which is used to remove security tags from items for sale in shops.
The court heard that the total value of goods taken amounted to €1,038.
The court was also told that all of the property was recovered in a resaleable condition and was returned to the shops.
The defendant had no previous convictions.
Solicitor David Powderly said the woman had incurred no convictions since the incidents.
Mr Powderly said the woman paid a single visit to the centre and she had acted “in an amateur way.”
Judge Zaidan said the incident was planned and was not opportunistic because she had brought a detagger with her.
He said the court cannot stand by and “let this happen" because the cost of security systems and security personnel is passed on to the public.
He imposed an 11 months custody term for the theft at the Michael Kors outlet as well as a concurrent three months term for having the detagger.