A woman with a history of theft has been described as a 'classic kleptomaniac' after stealing five pairs of sunglasses worth €910 from a Specsavers store in Ennis, Ireland. Judge Alec Gabbett expressed concern over the value of the stolen goods and her recurring offenses, stating, 'She simply can't stop herself.' While he declined to impose an immediate jail sentence, he suspended a six-month term for two years, warning that any further thefts would result in imprisonment.
A judge has stated that a woman who stole five pairs of sunglasses worth €910 during a single raid at Specsavers 'simply can't stop herself' from stealing. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett asked if Ennis woman, Mary McDonagh (44) is 'a classic kleptomaniac.' Sgt Frank O’Grady told the court that Ms McDonagh of Shalee Drive, Ennis had 14 previous convictions for theft before stealing the five pairs of sunglasses from Specsavers on Ennis ’s Market Street last September 2.
Ms McDonagh pleaded guilty to the theft of the sunglasses contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. Solicitor for Ms McDonagh, Tara Godfrey told the court that her client 'has a history of theft' and 'resorts to thieving as a way of relieving personal stress.' Ms Godfrey said that the circumstances in which Ms McDonagh would try to relieve stress where she is under the weather or other members of her family are ill. Ms Godfrey said that the good news is that Ms McDonagh has not come to the attention of the Gardai since last September and the time before that was around one year. Judge Gabbett asked Ms Godfrey was her client 'a classic kleptomaniac.' Judge Gabbett said that there is a compulsion on Ms McDonagh’s part to steal. He said: 'She simply can't stop herself.' Judge Gabbett asked: 'How can we protect the shop-owners of Ennis from this?' Ms Godfrey said that her client has 'come to grips' with her compulsion as the court rightly describes it. Ms Godfrey said: 'She is not enriching herself from these enterprises - it is an emotional, psychological issue.' Judge Gabbett said that he didn’t think it was about money as he said that Ms McDonagh has a supportive husband. Expressing concern over Ms McDonagh’s previous convictions for theft, he said 'no matter what is going on, prison or the probation service, she is still back here in court.' Judge Gabbett expressed concern over the value of the items in the Specsavers theft. He said: 'It is a much bigger theft than she normally does.' Ms Godfrey commented: 'Five pairs of sunglasses in Jimmys of Ennis would be €5 and five pairs of sunglasses in Specsavers would be €910 and that is what happened.' Ms Godfrey said that the sunglasses were recovered from Ms McDonagh before she even effectively left the store. Judge Gabbett said that it was for that reason that he would not impose an immediate jail term on Ms McDonagh. Judge Gabbett said that he would impose a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He said: 'I need to keep the axe in the air and the six months will be imposed if there is any other theft over the next two years.'
Theft Kleptomania Specsavers Ennis Ireland Judge Gabbett Mary Mcdonagh
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