A WOMAN who has 59 criminal convictions pleaded guilty to twelve further charges of stealing, including theft from a charity shop at Limerick District Court last Friday.
Tina Waters (32) of Columcille Street, St Mary’s Park, appeared before the court via video link on twelve counts of stealing, including the theft of a €10 jewellery cleaning set from the National Council for the Blind charity shop in Grove Island.
Sergeant Sean Murray listed the charges for the court which included stealing garden hoses and a space heater from Supervalu in Grove Island, face masks from Centra William Street, cosmetics from Boots, and groceries from a number of stores.
The total cost of goods stolen was €1,702 and Judge Patricia Harney was told that none of the items were recovered although Ms Waters said a bag of clothes she took during a burglary of a house in Assumpta Park was recovered.
Defending solicitor Ted McCarthy said Ms Waters has a serious history of drug addiction going back to the day she “witnessed the slaying of her sister.
“That image stayed with her and she sought to find solace in drug taking. Every theft comes back to that,” he said.
He added that Ms Waters “is determined to turn things around”.
Judge Harney said that “she has led a lot of people a merry dance,” with Gardaí having to get bench warrants for her to turn up in court.
Mr McCarthy said his client “wasn’t running. She was homeless for a good period”
Judge Harney imposed sentences totalling 19 weeks and three days, ranging from three days in jail for stealing from the charity shop to three weeks for the theft from Boots with all sentences to run consecutively.
Judge Harney set bail at Ms Water’s own bond of €100.
Sgt Murray asked for conditions of bail, including that Ms Waters stay out of all of the premises mentioned in the charges and that she sign on every day at Henry Street Garda station.
