Woman stole alcohol from same Laois store on four occasions

A WOMAN who went into the same store on four separate occasions and stole alcohol each time was ordered to pay full compensation by the next time her case is heard at Portlaoise District Court.

Sally Ngina Kigathi (26), The Commercial Inn, Rathdowney pleaded guilty to the theft of wine and groceries to the value of €47.30 from SuperValu, Rathdowney on 11 January and the theft of the same items costing €31.81 on 27 January and again on 28 January valued at 47.38.

On 12 February, she went into the same store and took wine and groceries valued at €52.74.

Judge Susan Fay was informed that none of the items that were taken were recovered.

Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said Ms Kigathi has no previous convictions and had never come to garda attention before.

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Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that alcohol addiction was the issue at the time and that her client is now taking steps to deal with it and is engaging with the ARC Recovery Programme.

She said that Ms Kigathi is living in supported accommodation and in receipt of state funding of €38.30 per week.

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client is willing to pay for the items she took, but with such a low income it would take some time to gather up the €179.23 she owes to SuperValu.

Judge Fay remanded the accused on continuing bail to the 22 June sitting of the court and instructed she engages with the probation service, gathers the compensation and has an updated report on what steps she is taking to address her alcohol problem.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.