Louth woman in and out of prison ‘like a yo-yo’ back in custody

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A woman in and out of prison “like a yo-yo” has been handed a four-month jail term after a suspended sentence was triggered.

Rachel Ryan (28), Platin Road, Drogheda, had received a four-month suspended sentence on a charge of stealing a bottle of Smirnoff Ice and a bottle of Captain Morgan at Eurospar, Bredin Street, on April 19 last.

She was back in custody since September 15 and in the district court a week later pleaded guilty to new charges, most relating to shoplifting.

The defendant has 83 previous convictions, including fifty-nine for theft.

Solicitor Dermot Monahan said that his client, a mother of four, had been in and out of prison like a yo-yo.

She had a drug and alcohol addiction and was trying to put her best foot forward. It was a “sad story”.

The four-month sentence was activated, while Ms Ryan received a concurrent two months for theft of a €76 bottle of brandy at Dunnes Stores, West Street, on August 9 last, both backdated to September 15.

Other charges were taken into consideration.

"There is a lot of help out there. You should try to get it,” Judge Mark O’Connell said.

"People have got over bigger problems,” he added.