Castlebar woman thinks she’s ‘addicted’ to theft

A CASTLEBAR woman who stole a wig from a hair salon told a judge she thinks she might be addicted to stealing after she accumulated 15 theft convictions.
Una McDonagh of 11 The Grove, Castlebar, appeared before Castlebar District Court charged with the theft of a wig worth €50 from HMVC Hair Salon on Ellison Street, Castlebar on December 3, 2016. The incident was captured on CCTV and Ms McDonagh was identified taking the wig without paying.
The court heard that Ms McDonagh has 15 previous convictions for theft which prompted Judge Mary Devins to comment that she was wasting everyone’s time.
Her solicitor, Gary Mulchrone, admitted he dealt with her on a number of occasions in the past but stressed she had stopped and got herself out of trouble until the recent incident.
When asked by Judge Devins why she does it, she replied; “I don’t know...I might be addicted.”
Judge Devins said if Ms McDonagh gives €150 to the injured party, she will deal with the matter ‘in a certain way’ and adjourned sentencing until January 3, 2018. She warned Ms McDonagh if she is back before the court before then, she will have no hesitation in sending her to prison.