‘Beauty spa week’ in jail for Castlebar woman

‘Beauty spa week’ in jail for Castlebar woman


A local court has heard how a serial thief has served a miniscule portion of previous sentences in jail, prompting Judge Mary Devins to note that she ‘goes in to get her hair and nails done and goes home’.
Castlebar District Court heard last week how Winnie McDonagh from 56, An SruthΡn, Castlebar was sentenced to seven months and only served two weeks. She then served only five days for a four month sentence.
She appeared before court last week charged with the theft of alcohol from a Castlebar shop last March and her solicitor, Cathy McDarby argued that sending her to jail made no difference and was ‘a waste of taxpayers’ money’.
“It costs the state about €1,000 a week to keep her in and she is out on temporary release then. It is a beauty spa week,” said Ms McDarby.
“She goes in to get her hair and nails done and goes home. It is no deterrent,” agreed Judge Devins.
Inspector Martin Byrne informed Judge Devins that because the Castlebar theft had occurred within six days of McDonagh being released on temporary release, she would have to return to serve the balance as she had broken the terms of the release.
Cathy McDarby told the court that her client is a 27-year-old married mother of one. She had 35 previous convictions, 18 for theft.
The court heard how on March 23 last at Londis on the Station Road in Castlebar, Winnie McDonagh had put a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey and a bottle of Crested Ten whiskey up her jumper and walked out without paying.
With her on the occasion was Tina McDonagh of 47, Springfield Court, Castlebar who stole one bottle of Jack Daniels. She appeared before the court on that charge and also for the theft of €10.68 worth of soup from the Super Savers store in Castlebar on October 20 last.
The court heard that Tina McDonagh is currently serving a suspended sentence and that these crimes contravene the terms of that suspension. She was ordered to appear before the next sitting of Galway District Court this week. Judge Devins said she would not contemplate sentencing on these matters until Judge Mary Fahy in Galway decided if she wanted to revoke the suspended sentence.
With regard to Winnie McDonagh, the issue was put back until September 1 for sentencing.