Repeat offender who went on two-year shoplifting spree gets sentenced to time served
A repeat offender who went on a two-year shop-lifting spree across Dublin will spend no more time in prison after her sentence was backdated to when she entered custody.
Linda Byrne (45), of Tymon North Gardens, Tallaght, Dublin 24, was sentenced to three months in prison at Tallaght District Court today – but the final month was suspended, while the sentence was backdated to April 3, when she was first taken into custody.
Judge William Aylmer noted Byrne’s guilty plea and said she had shown a “significant shift” in her behaviour while on remand in the Dóchas Centre, where she is now engaging in addiction treatment and education.
The thefts, a number of which took place between December 2022 and April 2024, involved goods worth between €60 and €270 and included groceries, cosmetics and clothing taken from shops such as Dunnes Stores, Penneys, and Spar. All items were recovered in saleable condition.
One of the more serious incidents took place on October 10, 2024, when shop workers at Spar in Tallaght pointed out a bag belonging to Byrne which contained items worth just over €80. All items were recovered but the court heard that Byrne became abusive and aggressive at the scene and was arrested under Sections 4 and 3 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Byrne was taken to Tallaght Garda Station and later charged by Sergeant Anthony Moran. A bench warrant was also executed that day. She was refused bail in the District Court due to the volume of outstanding theft charges and was remanded in custody on April 3.
Barrister Ethan Foley BL, instructed by solicitor Pádraig O’Donovan, said Byrne had been caught in a cycle of addiction since her early teens but was now cooperating fully with services and motivated to change.
A probation report assessed her risk of reoffending as moderate – a reduction from a previously high rating – and confirmed she had attended two meetings with the Probation Service while in custody.
Judge Aylmer imposed the backdated sentence and suspended the final month for 24 months, on condition that Byrne enter a good behaviour bond, which she signed before leaving court.
After signing the bond, Judge Aylmer asked Byrne if she understood the conditions of the suspension. “Yes,” she replied.