Mother jailed for stealing clothes from Laois store
Image for illustration purposes only
A MOTHER of young children was jailed for four months for stealing clothing from a sports shop in Portlaoise.
Lisa McDonagh from Millfield Close, Newbridge, Co Kildare had previously pleaded guilty to the theft of €630 worth of clothing from Life Style Sports, Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise on 18 May 2024.
When the defendant’s case was called, barrister Anne Doyle said that her client was not present.
Judge Andrew Cody noted that it was coming up to the second anniversary of when the offence occurred and asked how much compensation had been gathered, to pay back the store.
Ms Doyle said: “She’s a 21-year-old mother of young children. She is their sole carer. Her partner is serving a long prison sentence.”
“This case has been put back and put back a number of times to allow her time to pay full compensation. In the circumstances I am imposing a four-month sentence,” said Judge Cody.
Ms Doyle applied to the judge fix recognisance, so that her client could consider appealing against the sentence.
The judge went on to fix an own bond recognisance of €1,000 with a cash lodgement of €500.
“I know this lady won’t be able to lodge €500 in cash,” said Ms Doyle, “she’s not even able to put the compensation together.”
After she appealed to Judge Cody to reconsider his order regarding the amount of the cash lodgement, he adjusted the terms to a cash lodgement of €500 or an independent surety of €500.
