Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman (52) to be extradited for alleged theft of handbags
Summary
Catherine Gaffney, 52, was ordered by the High Court to be extradited to Northern Ireland for alleged thefts. The warrant alleges she stole six Mulberry handbags valued at £6,000 from House of Fraser in Belfast between July and November 2016, and attempted to steal a seventh bag and purse in December 2016. She also faces a charge of obstructing a constable. Gaffney opposed surrender on Article 3 and 8 grounds, alleging sectarian mistreatment at Hydebank Prison and health risks. Ms Justice Donnelly rejected these objections, finding the alleged thefts planned and high-value. The court directed her surrender. Gaffney is currently serving a sentence with an anticipated release date of August 24, 2024, and is in custody for pending Circuit Court matters. The matter was adjourned until July 22, and she was remanded in custody until that date. In 2018, Gaffney was jailed for a year after being found guilty by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of stealing three Chanel handbags from Brown Thomas in 2015.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman (52) to be extradited for alleged theft of handbags. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 7 Incident
- November 19, 2016 Incident
- December 10, 2016 Incident
- January 2017 Incident
- August 24 Adjournment
- July 22 Adjournment
- 2019-02-05 Publication
Why: Catherine Gaffney had contested her surrender at the High Court today, with her lawyers submitting that she was treated differently in a Belfast prison because she is a "southern Irish Catholic". CNI source report
Case subjects
Respondent
Outcome: In 2018, Gaffney was jailed for a year after being found guilty by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of stealing three Chanel handbags from Brown Thomas, Grafton Street in 2015.; The matter was put back until July 22 and she was remanded in custody until that date.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Belfast prison
- Hydebank Prison
- Carraroe Avenue
- Dublin
- Grafton Street
Topics
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