Suspended sentences for Louth woman who stole rosary beads from church

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A woman who pleaded guilty to 24 charges has not had her stay in custody extended after the district court imposed suspended sentences.

Danielle Dullaghan (29) is in prison on a circuit court matter with a release date in December 2026.

The defendant, with addresses at Earls Court, Lismullen Grove, and Simon Community, Barrack Street, Dundalk, admitted mostly thefts, including one at St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church.

There were also assault, interference with cars and public order charges.

Solicitor Fergal Boyle said that his client, who appeared via video link, is doing well in custody where she is drug-free and engaging with services. She presented much better.

The offending in question went back as far as July 2022 and evidence was given about thefts from shops throughout Dundalk, often when Ms Dullaghan was accompanied by others.

Court presenter Sgt Richie Browne said that on July 16, 2022, at ‘Go’ garage, Newry Road, Dundalk, she scraped the bonnet and driver’s door of a car with a sharply pointed item, causing €500 damage.

On August 30, 2023, at Long Walk the defendant attacked two other females. One was struck in the face and had her hair pulled, while Ms Dullaghan dug her nails into the face of the second victim.

Three days earlier in Park Street, the accused was accompanied by a male when they were involved in a fight with another man who sustained face and neck injuries.

Sgt Browne continued that on July 12, 2024, following her arrest at St Alphonsus Road, she was searched at the Garda station. A student ID in another person’s name was found on her.

On the following September 5 in Mary Street North the defendant and a man were trying the handles of two vehicles. No entry was gained, neither was any damage caused.

Two days later in Clanbrassil Street she was one of two people attempting to get into a parked car. The owner confronted them and they fled.

On October 15, 2024, Ms Dullaghan was with another person when they burgled a house at Park View, Dundalk, and stole property.

It was on February 26 last that the incident occurred in the Redemptorist church. Rosary beads and medals valued €80 were taken.

Judge Nicola Andrews said that the seriousness of the offending could not be ignored.

The defendant pleaded guilty. She has the capacity to make positive changes in her life.

Consecutive six-month sentences, suspended for two years, were imposed on one of the assaults and one of the interference with a car charges. The other charges were taken into consideration.

Judge Andrews said that the court was not extending Ms Dullaghan’s stay in custody, but when released from the other sentence, she would still be under the period of suspension.

The case was put back to November 19 for the defendant to be produced to sign the suspended sentence bonds.