Laois woman sold bags, shoes and hairdryers online that were never delivered

A woman who sold hair dryers, bags and shoes online but never sent the items was told to repay the victims of her fraud. 

Louise Ward (29) of Clonad, Portlaoise admitted to three offences under Section 6 of the Theft and Fraud Act relating to slippers and bags at Leopardstown, Dublin on December 1, 2021, a Dyson Airwrap at Roundwood, Wicklow on October 19, 2022 and a hair dryer at Dingle, Co Kerry on February 26, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said an injured party saw an ad for handbags and shoes on Adverts.ie and sent payment of €130 but never received the items. He said another injured party paid €161 for a Dyson Airwrap and a third person paid €380 for a hairdryer. 

Following complaints, Adverts.ie removed the seller and gardaí identified the woman through her account. He said the defendant was arrested and made admissions. She has three previous convictions, one for assault and two for public order offences. 

Judge Nicola Andrews asked if any of the injured parties had been refunded. 

Counsel for the accused said his client had not repaid the money. 

“Ms Ward has informed me that she is more than willing to recompense,” he said. 

He said she is the mother of three children and was embarrassed at what she had done and she was apologetic. 

“She did something that was dishonest and stupid and she knows it,” he said. 

Judge Andrews said people trust online platforms like adverts.ie. 

“There is quite a nasty element to all of that,” she said. 

“It is probably in your client’s interest to make restitution,” she added. 

“Go off and repay back the injured parties all the money she stole from them,” said Judge Andrews. 

“She is to give those people their money before she comes back in here,” she said. 

Judge Andrews remanded the woman on bail to reappear before Portlaoise District Court on June 24.