Laois woman on theft charges stole garda sergeant’s jacket from courtroom
The woman admitted stealing a garda sergeant's jacket at Portlaoise Courthouse
A WOMAN stole a garda sergeant’s jacket from the courtroom when she was brought before Portlaoise District Court on theft charges.
The bizarre incident was outlined in court last Thursday, when Theresa Conroy, 7 Green Mill Lane, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to a series of thefts.
The 38-year-old admitted stealing a grey hoodie worth €80 belonging to Sgt JJ Kirby on 20 September 2024. She also admitted stealing goods worth €88 from EuroGiant on 18 September 2024 and a pair of shoes worth €12 from Dunnes Stores on another date.
On 5 April last, she stole items worth €149.26 from Lidl that included toiletries, three bottles of Smirnoff vodka and a bottle of Captain Morgan rum.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said Ms Conroy took the jacket from the back of a chair in the courtroom during a break and didn’t know who owned it. She never left the building with it and, once it was established that Sgt Kirby owned the jacket, she returned it immediately. The solicitor said that Ms Conroy was in custody for the past month and was regularised again on methadone, as she was undergoing rehabilitation in prison. She would like to continue her rehabilitation in the community and already had the support of the Community Alcohol and Drugs Service (CADS) in Portlaoise.
The solicitor explained that Ms Conroy underwent residential treatment when she was 19 or 20 but found it of no assistance and felt community treatment would be of more benefit. Ms Fitzpatrick added: “She has been going to school every day in prison and is looking much better than she was a month ago.”
Judge Andrew Cody pointed out that Ms Conroy had already served two prison sentences and reoffended immediately each time she was released. He noted that, according to a probation service report, a residential treatment programme would be the most beneficial route for her, as she struggled to stay off drugs. He also noted that some of the offences were committed when she was on temporary release from prison, which was a significant factor in making his decision on sentencing.
The judge said that, unfortunately, Ms Conroy was not suitable for community service because of her drug habit. She had nearly 100 previous convictions. She appeared to have stayed out of trouble between 2010 and 2023 but she had committed 52 thefts since November 2023, one of which was to pay off an old drug debt.
Judge Cody observed: “Regrettably, the majority of these thefts were in her home town of Portlaoise and most were committed while she was out on bail."
The judge imposed a total of 18 months’ imprisonment, with six months suspended. He said: “I have to protect the shops, businesses and people in this town. It gives me no joy to send her to prison but I am left with no option, as she has not taken up residential treatment.” Judge Cody agreed to fix terms in the event of an appeal, on Ms Conroy’s own bond of €500 and an independent surety of €2,000.
