Woman admits using Lidl voucher taken during Laois burglary
The Lidl voucher was in a car that was stolen during the burglary in Rathdowney
Gardaí tracked down a woman who used a gift card at Lidl in Portlaoise which had been stolen in a burglary in Laois.
Mary Toohey (47) of Dysart Beg, Mountrath, admitted to handling stolen property at Lidl, Portlaoise on February 3, 2026.
Detective Garda Michael O’Donovan said his investigation stemmed from a burglary which occurred at Kyle, Rathdowney on January 28, 2026. He explained that car keys were stolen and used to take a 201 OY registered car and the owner explained that there had been a €50 Lidl voucher in the car.
Det O’Donovan said the Lidl voucher was used to buy goods valued at €40.57 from the Portlaoise store on February 3 and he viewed CCTV from the store. “From the CCTV I immediately recognised the defendant,” he said.
“She made full admissions to using this gift voucher. She said it was found in Borris-in-Ossory,” he explained.
Det O’Donovan handed a victim impact statement over to the judge from the owner of the car which was taken in the burglary but he asked him not to read it into the court record.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to the offence of handling stolen property. She said the woman had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had brought €50 to court.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client, who is on disability, was a widow who recently lost a son to suicide and has five children including the son she lost.
Judge Andrew Gubbins said he accepted “on face value” that the voucher was found by the woman in Borris-in-Ossory. He said it was clear that the burglary had a “devastating” effect on the householder.
He said the manner in which the woman had met the case was to her credit and he noted she had previous for road traffic offences but nothing of this nature. He granted legal aid and fined her €300 and gave her six months to pay.