CRIMINAL elements well known to Gardai are using vulnerable people to do their thieving for them, a judge sitting in a Limerick court was told.
A 23-year-old Eastern European woman was pleading guilty before Limerick District Court, sitting in Newcastle West, to stealing toys worth €60 from a Limerick store and prepacked meat worth the same amount from Tesco in Newcastle West on February 19.
The young mother – who had very little English – appeared before the District Court with the aid of an interpreter and represented by Limerick solicitor Ted McCarthy.
Mr McCarthy, for the woman, told Judge Fiona Brennan that the accused had been “in the company of two men who are well known to the Gardai”.
“Basically, these people were sending her in to steal on their behalf” the woman’s solicitor told the court.
Mr McCarthy told the court that the woman is living in a homeless shelter and is working with the Ana Liffey rehabilitation services in Limerick to help tackle her ongoing addiction problems.
Inspector Barry Manton, prosecuting, agreed with the assertion by Mr McCarthy that the individuals in whose company the Eastern European woman was in on the day are individuals the Gardai in the area would be well aware of.
Judge Brennan remanded the woman on continuing bail as she said she wanted the benefit of a probation report before deciding on any penalty.
The woman was told to appear again on June 24 before the District Court in Newcastle West.
