Judge sends Tralee woman's shop-theft case to Circuit Court

A 26-year-old mother-of-three must answer accusations of stealing goods worth more than €6,700 from multiple stores before a judge with greater sentencing authority.

Judge sends Tralee woman's shop-theft case to Circuit Court

A Kerry magistrate has ruled that allegations against a young parent involving repeated stealing from businesses are too weighty for the local bench and must be adjudicated at a superior tribunal.

Kathleen McDonagh, 26, from the Oakpark district of Tralee, stood before the town's district tribunal facing thirteen counts. Of these, twelve concern claims that she removed merchandise without payment from outlets spanning three counties between spring last year and the end of March.

The prosecution alleges she targeted Euro Giant twice in Tralee, Penneys and Sports Direct on several occasions in Killarney, and single locations including Michael Guineys, CH Chemist and Currys in Tralee, Tesco in Newcastle West, Holland and Barrett in Cork, Dunnes Stores in Limerick, and JD Sports in Killarney. Goods allegedly taken include beauty products, bedding, apparel, food items and wireless tracking devices, with the overall value surpassing €6,700.

An additional count concerns disorderly conduct at a neighbourhood Spar in Tralee during April.

Justice David Waters declined jurisdiction, referring the matter upward to a venue where sterner sanctions may be imposed. The accused's barrister, Pádraig O'Connell, informed the bench that the defendant is raising three infants, the most recent born only a year ago.

McDonagh was granted conditional liberty pending her next appearance on June 24, when prosecutors will furnish the evidentiary dossier.

Source: Radio Kerry

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