Serial Louth shoplifter released from prison one day into eight-month sentence

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A woman sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment was released from custody after just one day.

This came to light at Monday’s sitting of Drogheda District Court when Rachel Ryan (27) was on the list accused of two thefts which allegedly occurred before she was sent to jail.

On November 10 last the defendant, of Platin Road, Drogheda, was sentenced to consecutive four-month terms for stealing €109 groceries at Aldi, Slane Road, on November 5 last and for not paying €9.50 for two cans of vodka cocktails at Circle K, Dublin Road, on November 9.

Other charges were taken into consideration.

The court heard that Ms Ryan, a mother of four, had 93 previous convictions, including 58 for theft.

Judge Nicola Andrews remarked that at the heart of this offending was an uncontrolled addiction to substances, adding that the defendant was “causing havoc on local businesses.”

When the latest case was called, two allegations of theft in Drogheda, one on November 7 and the other the day after, the court was told that Ms Ryan had been released from her sentence the next day, and that she was not present.

Judge Andrews issued a bench warrant.