Woman who stole over €1,500 of cosmetics from Boots in Wexford is jailed for six months
Wexford PeopleA number of cases were heard at Wexford district court recently before Judge Peter White.
A Wexford woman pleaded guilty to six charges of theft all dated September 16 2024.
The court heard that on the day in question Amy Byrne (45) of Apartment 1, Moyne House, Gratton Quay, Waterford, and a co-accused were observed by members of An Garda Síochána at Wexford Quay, who spotted the duo throw bags under a bench and walk away.
Gardaí subsequently discovered the items in the bag to be property stolen from various stores in Wexford town.
Gardaí informed the court Byrne has 151 total previous convictions with 92 of them being theft related.
Eileen O’Neill, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that Byrne was under pressure from individuals in Waterford to pay off debts owed by her resulting in the thefts on the day in question. Ms. O’Neill stated that all the property was returned to the respective stores in a resalable condition. The solicitor also said the accused was intoxicated on the day in question.
Judge White described the string of thefts as a “spree” but gave the accused credit for the fact the goods were returned in resalable condition.
However, he also stated that due to the “staggering” number of previous convictions a custodial sentence must be imposed.
Judge White imposed a six month prison sentence in relation to a theft of cosmetics from Boots of over €1,500 along with a further one month sentence to run concurrently on a second charge sheet.
There was no appearance by the co-accused in this matter, Leanne McCarthy (45) of Oasis House, Morrisons Road, Waterford. A bench warrant issued in her absence.
Paul Darcy (34) of Sleepy Hallow, Bloomfield, Enniscorthy, Wexford, pleaded guilty to an offence of no insurance on April 4 2025 at R753 Clonard Great.
The court heard that the accused made admissions at the time of the stop. Judge White imposed a €300 fine with 12 months to pay.
Tadas Ulevicius (35) of 11 Foxborough Lane, Lucan, Dublin, entered a plea of guilty in relation to an offence of driving without insurance on June 9, 2025 at N25 Starvehall.
Garda Breheny informed the court that the accused has an insurance policy on his own vehicle which allowed him to drive other cars if they are not in his own name, which this car was.
Eileen O’Neill, solicitor for the accused, stated that Ulevicius was driving his partner’s car on the day as his had broken down and the vehicle has now been transferred over fully in the name of his partner.
Judge White commented that he will not impose a disqualification as it appeared to be a genuine mistake and instead imposed a €300 fine with 12 months to pay.
James Peter McDonald (33) of 6 Pairc Cluain, Mulgannon, Wexford, plead guilty to an offence of driving uninsured on June 1, 2025 at Ballygorman, Barntown.
McDonald informed the court he had only bought the car at the time. Judge White imposed a €300 fine with 12 months to pay.
Barbara Connors of 45 Hewittsland, New Ross, Wexford, was fined €320 with 12 months to pay in relation to a speeding offence. The court heard that on May 6, 2025 at R731 Ballywilliam, Wexford, the accused was detected traveling a speed of 63kmh. The posted speed limit on this road is 50kmh.
Ray Richardson (61) with an address at Old Post Office, Mayglass, Wexford, pleaded guilty to a public order offence.
The court heard that on March 14 2025 gardaí received reports of an intoxicated male. Once gardaí located Richardson he was intoxicated to a degree where he could not speak or stand without assistance. The court heard that once Richardson sobered up he was highly cooperative and apologetic.
The accused has 13 previous convictions which are all said to be road traffic in nature.
Judge White imposed a €150 fine with three months to pay.