Woman with 104 previous convictions receives jail sentence after trespassing incident at Sligo University Hospital
The Sligo ChampionA woman with 104 previous convictions has been jailed for three months after a trespassing incident at Sligo University Hospital.
Jennifer Ward (34) of Arus Breffni, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim was charged with stealing flowers and religious items valued at €119 from House of Value, Wine St Car Park, Sligo on April 3. She was also charged that on June 3, she was within the vicinity of a staff room in Medical North 5 at Sligo University Hospital for the purpose of trespassing.
The defendant was also charged with failing to appear at Sligo District Court whilst on bail on May 28.
Sergeant David McDonagh told the court that on June 3, gardaí received a report of a woman acting suspiciously in the hospital from a member of staff.
Ward went into a staff room which had restricted access with a man. CCTV footage showed the man entering the room whilst Ward waited outside and kept watch.
On April 3, gardaí received a report of theft from House of Value, Wine St Car Park. Ward entered the store and took flowers and grave items. No property was recovered.
Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (defending), told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that Ward failed to appear at court on May 28 because she fully believed that all her matters were dealt with on her previous court appearance.
For the theft charge, he explained that his client stole the items for her younger brother’s grave who passed away recently. Mr McGovern added that for the Sligo University incident, Ward was seriously ill and grieving for her brother.
Mr McGovern said that it was a tough situation for Ward and that she had seen better times.
Sgt McDonagh informed Judge Cunningham that Ward was currently on temporary release after being granted it on May 26.
Judge Cunningham noted that Ward had 104 previous convictions and that she was on temporary release whilst she committed offence at Sligo University Hospital. She said that this was a huge concern for the court as Ward did not display any change in her offending behaviour.
Judge Cunningham said that another issue for the defendant was that she received a partially suspended prison sentence from Letterkenny District Court on April 29.
For the theft and trespassing charge, Judge Cunningham jailed Ward for three months with both sentences to run concurrently. She took into consideration the other charge.
Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.