Judge tells Sligo mother fined for shoplifting that she needs to be positive influence on her children
The Sligo ChampionA mother of three has been told that she had to be a positive influence for her children after being fined for shoplifiting at Sligo District Court.
Cliona Ward (42) of Parklands, Tubbercurry, was charged with stealing cosmetics valued at €67.41 from Boots, The Canopy, O’Connell St, Sligo on December 3, 2025.
Sgt Butler told the court that gardaí received a report of a theft from the shop. Gardaí viewed CCTV footage which showed the defendant putting the cosmetics into a pram. The items were recovered but not in a re-saleable condition.
The court heard that Ward had 60 previous convictions.
Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor (defending), told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that her client was the mother of three young children. She added that Ward’s last court appearance was in 2016. Ms Spellman continued that Christmas was a very expensive time for her client as her children were between the ages of eight and 15-years-old.
Judge Cunningham asked the defendant why she put the stolen items in a pram. Ward replied that she was looking after another child at the time.
Ms Spellman said that Ward was trying to get gifts for her family.
Judge Cunningham noted that the defendant had a significant number of previous convictions. She also noted that 2016 was her last court appearance but prior to that there was a pattern of offending.
Judge Cunningham said that she hoped that Ward’s latest offence was not a start of another patten of offending. She added that the defendant did not come to any garda attention since.
Judge Cunningham noted the circumstances and the number of children depending on Ward and fined her €250. She told the defendant that she had three children and that she had to be a positive influence in their lives.
Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.