Woman with Laois address and 'appalling record' sentenced after Tesco thefts

A woman was told she had no regard for the court when she appeared at last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court.

Michelle Daly (36), who gave an address at Glenkeen Crescent, Fairgreen, Portlaoise, hadn't cooperated with the probation services, Judge Andrew Cody said.

Ms Daly had stolen a number of items from Tesco, Cloncollig, Tullamore. On January 15, 2022 she took four packets of fillet chicken worth €40 and a slow cooker worth €60. On the same date she stole two beef joints valued at €27.

She had 40 previous convictions, 37 had been for theft. She had previously been sentenced to 160 hours community service and in 2013 had received a suspended prison sentence.

Judge Cody said he had a report from the probation officer to say she attended just one appointment. Barrister Aine Rush said Ms Daly lives in Killarney and had to get a taxi to the station to get the train to Tullamore which cost her a lot of money.

She said she had been in a very bad relationship but was now out of it. She was on a methadone programme and many of her offences had occurred when she was on drugs. She is now on social welfare.

Judge Cody said this has been going on since last January. She has missed numerous court dates and he said he had issued 12 bench warrants. She didn't attend the probation services and she has no regard for the court. This woman has an appalling record, he said.

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He was told on her last court date she was on the train to Tullamore but she failed to show, he said. He said he has tried 11 times to deal with two simple charges.

He imposed two months in prison. He gave leave to appeal and fixed recognisance at €500.