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112 convictions: Mayo woman told to stay out of shops in Castlebar and Kiltimagh

By Anton McNulty, The Mayo News

A Mayo woman who has 112 previous convictions was ordered to stay out of shops in Castlebar and Kiltimagh as part of a condition of a suspended prison sentence.

Winnie McDonagh with an address at Quay Road, Newport appeared before Castlebar District Court where she pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of items from three stores in Castlebar and Kiltimagh.

Judge Vincent Deane was informed that she stole €131.90 worth of kitchen utilises from Home Store and More in Castlebar as well as €50 worth of groceries from the Food Centre in the N5 Business Park in Castlebar and €30 worth of groceries from O’Connor’s SuperValu in Kiltimagh.

The court was told that Ms McDonagh has 112 previous convictions the majority of which are for theft.

Ms Cathy McDarby, solicitor for Ms McDonagh said that her client is a 43-year-old widow and mother of three children. She commented that while she has a number of previous convictions, she said that Ms McDonagh never committed any of them while serving a suspended sentence and wants to stay out of prison.

Ms McDarby said her client had no difficulty having to stay out of shops in Castlebar or surrendering bond money to pay for compensation for the businesses.

Judge Deane imposed an eight month prison sentence but suspended it for a period of two years on the condition Ms McDonagh stays out of grocery shops in Castlebar and Kiltimagh and donates €1,000 to the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce and for that money to be taken from her bond.

Judge Deane warned Ms McDonagh that he was giving gardaí the liberty to re-enter the case if she breaches her condition and she will be going into custody if she does.

Funded by Courts Reporting Scheme