‘Escaped the safety net that society provides.’ – solicitor John Devane
“THERE isn’t a shop or pharmacy safe in Limerick.,” according to judge Tom O’Donnell, when referring to a 21-year-old pregnant mother of one charged with over a dozen counts of theft and handling stolen goods, at Limerick District Court. His comments came as he heard details, over two days, of cases against Stacey Quinn, Maigue Way, John Carew Park, Limerick.
Offering a plea of guilty to all matters before the court on behalf of his client held in custody, John Devane pleaded mitigating circumstances that Ms Quinn only stole to feed her drug habit and now sought a “real course of rehab”.
Details of the alleged offences against Ms Quinn were outlined by Inspector Gerry Horan. He said that on March 27 last, Garda Geraldine McCarthy, was called to a pharmacy at the Roxboro Shopping Centre, where Ms Quinn was detained, having taken €25 worth of jewellery without paying.
On the previous day, Garda Denis O’Loughlin had attended the same pharmacy where Ms Quinn was detained having taken €115 worth of goods from the store without paying.
Garda Brian O’Loughlin was called to a pharmacy in the city centre to identify Stacey Quinn from CCTV footage that captured her taking €50 worth of property. The Inspector reminded Judge O’Donnell that the accused had pleaded guilty to some 12 theft charges that the court heard on April 7, and that a number of minor handling charges were struck out only on the provision of a guilty plea for the theft charges.
Inspector Horan said that four live drugs offences charges were before the court, including two for the sale and or supply of diamorphine.
On June 27 of last year, gardai detained Stacey Quinn at the Crescent Shopping Centre under the suspicion of breaches of the misuse of drugs act 1977.
A search carried out later at Roxboro Road Garda Station revealed what gardai stated was €450 of diamorphine.
On August 21, a search at Ms Quinn’s former residence at Newtown House, on Henry Street, yielded €200 of the same drug. With 48 previous convictions, the most recent a three month prison sentence coming on January 28 last, Stacey Quinn’s record was detailed.
It was also noted by Inspector Horan that two “live” suspended sentences were still hanging over the accused.
John Devane, solicitor for the Ms Quinn, said that his client was facing a total of 22 new charges furnished from a special sitting of the District Court the previous Saturday.
His client accepted full responsibility for her actions and was fully aware that the court was likely to impose a custodial sentence.
However, Mr Devane was a pains to suggest that his client, a 21-year-old mother of one, and who was now four months pregnant, had reached something of a “turning point” and that both her and her family were actively pursuing rehabilitation to address her problems with addiction. Mr Devane added that his client did not wish to delay the court any time and wanted to plead guilty at the earliest possible chance, but that she did however, dispute the value of the drugs that she was caught in possession of.
Ms Quinn valued what gardai said was €450 at just €150, and what gardai said was €200 at just €50.
He pointed out that his client was not selling the drugs for profit, but to actually share amongst her friends. Mr Devane noted that he had explained to his client that the court took the same opinion of drugs matters even if they were not for sale.
The court was told in further mitigation for Ms Quinn that all goods stolen were recovered at her home, and that she wished to pay compensation for a criminal damage matter that the court previously heard. Quinn has since lost her accommodation and that her 18-month-old infant was staying with family, as she was effectively “back on the streets”.
She returned to stealing to feed her habit and to feed and cloth herself and her child. Mr Devane added that his client had “escaped the safety net that society provides” and wants a chance to rehabilitate.
For the “myriad of charges,” Judge O’Donnell said that this was a thief “out of control” and that a shop or pharmacy was not safe in Limerick.
He said “that before the ink was dry, she’s {Stacey Quinn} back out stealing again”. “Your client is actively involved in supplying drugs and although her circumstances are not easy, she has made calculated decisions to go out to shops and take things without paying for them. She must be seen to face up to those consequences.
“Ms Quinn has an appalling record and these extra charges are just making matters worse”.
Giving credit for the early plea of guilty and saving valuable court time, Judge O’Donnell convicted and sentenced Stacey Quinn to 10 months in prison for the theft at the Roxboro based pharmacy on March 26.
He also handed down two 10 month prison sentences for other theft matters heard earlier in court. Quinn was also convicted and sentenced on two counts of having a quantity of diamporphine drugs for sale and supply. She received two 10 month prison sentences. All other matters were marked proved and taken into consideration by the court, given the fact that five 10 month sentences were handed down. Judge O’Donnell ordered that they are to run concurrently and that should an appeal be lodged, the circuit court is to be notified that Ms Quinn pleaded guilty to all matters before any were struck out or taken into consideration by the court.
The court also ordered that Stacey Quinn be afforded all necessary medical treatments for the duration of her pregnancy and for her drug rehabilitation. Judge O’Donnell adjourned the case but did not invoke the suspended sentences that Quinn’s record currently carries. Judge O’Donnell opted to keep those “live”.
