Woman jailed for thefts and assault in Portlaoise

A woman has been jailed for thefts and assault in Portlaoise. 

Levi Lawless, 21, of 75 Rossvale, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise was accused of stealing from pharmacies and shops in Portlaoise and of assaulting a woman in the courthouse in Portlaoise. 

Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy described his client as a “vulnerable young lady” who he said only had three previous convictions. 

He said she had been in a relationship with a man from Mullingar who he described as a “bad influence” on the defendant. He said she had been struggling with drug addiction.     

Judge Andrew Cody noted Mr McCarthy had revealed the defendant had been at home in bed when she was last due in court. 

“You weren’t here on the 22nd of June when Mr Byrne implored me to give her one last chance,” he said. 

“She was given the benefit of the probation service who described her as being entrenched in criminality,” said Judge Cody. 

“She failed to attend virtually all, bar one, appointment with the probation service,” he added. 

Judge Cody said she was facing 17 charges. 

He said the businesses around Portlaoise are entitled to say enough is enough. 

He sentenced her to 12 months for assaulting a woman at Portlaoise Courthouse on June 7 last year. He gave her 12 months for stealing from Aldi in Portlaoise on June 16, 2022 and 12 months for stealing cosmetics and perfume from Hughes’ Pharmacy on October 20, 2022. A further 12 month sentence was handed down for stealing a €60 pink woman’s top from Lifestyle Sports in Portlaoise on October 3, 2022. The sentences were to run concurrently. 

Judge Cody sentenced the woman to 12 months suspended for three years for stealing from Boots in Portlaoise on October 20, 2022, a further 12 months suspended for stealing from Hughes’ Pharmacy on October 4, 2022. The rest of the charges were taken into consideration. 

Mr McCarthy asked that the defendant be given some credit for an early plea. 

Judge Cody pointed out that he had suspended or taken into consideration two thirds of the charges. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal.