A WOMAN who wheeled a trolley with groceries valued at €583 out of Dunnes Stores, Briarhill, had to do so because her husband had gambling and drink addictions and there was no money in the house to feed her children.
This was the scenario outlined by her solicitor when Margaret McCarthy, 42 Barr na Uisce, Ballybrit Rd, Galway came before Galway District Court on five separate charges of theft.
Judge Fiona Lydon heard that when McCarthy was challenged by security staff outside Dunnes Stores, she abandoned the trolley of groceries and fled.
She faced a separate charge of again stealing goods from Dunnes Stores, Briarhill, on April 13, 2024 to the value of €260.70. These items were not recovered.
On July 17, 2024 she stole items to the value of €45.10 from Tesco Express. On May 15 she stole goods to the value of €37.15 from Dealz, Eyre Square and on August 14, 2024 again in Tesco Express she put items to the value of €38 under a blanket in a buggy and left without paying.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Christy Brown said McCarthy had 26 previous convictions and she was under a suspended sentence when four or five of these offences occurred, which means they are triggering offences.
John Martin solr (defending ) acting on the defendant’s behalf as she was in custody and this was not affected by the current legal dispute, said his client was pleading guilty to all charges.
He pleaded his client was 36 and had seven children. Her husband had gambling and drink problems and essentially this meant there was nothing left for the family.
“She was just trying to put food on the table,” he said. The case was adjourned.
