Judge Eirinn McKiernan told a mother of two that she was “sympathetic to your circumstances but you have to help yourself.” The Judge sentenced 28 year-old Donna Hand of Oaklawns, Navan, who was stated to have 15 previous convictions for theft, to two months in jail.
The defendant pleaded guilty to three shoplifting offences in Navan on dates earlier this month. She stole Yankee candles in one instance, and groceries on the two other occasions, with the value of the goods totalling €159.
Her barrister James O’Brien said that the defendant’s life had been blighted by alcohol. Trim Court heard that she started offending in August 2023 and was a frequent offender since. Mr O’Brien asked the Judge to deal with the case by way of suspended sentence or order her to link in with the probation service.
Judge McKiernan pointed out that the businesses were all trying to survive. The defendant had been given both options suggested by Mr O’Brien.
The defendant said if given the chance she would engage with the probation service. Judge McKiernan suspended the last month of the two month sentence, subject to the defendant entering a probation supervision bond with the probation service for 12 months.
