Rosary-bead wearing woman asked if she's a nun at Kildare court
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A JUDGE asked a prisoner if she was “a nun” before sentencing her to six months in prison for stealing €15 of cosmetics, in a case that had more layers than a large onion.
However, this was a deliberate move on behalf of Judge Desmond Zaidan, who made sure the sentence he issued was from the day of court, a recent sitting of Naas District Court.
As Leona Costello (38) of Monread Gardens, Naas was already serving an unrelated sentence with a release date in October, she got no extension of time.
The ‘nun’ reference came after the Judge noticed Costello was wearing a rosary around her neck on the videolink from Dóchas Women’s Prison, but was swiftly corrected.
“I’m no nun!” replied Ms Costello.
“Last day I was in court I got them to pray to my brother who died of cancer when he was 28 years old. My daughter found him,” she said.
Sergeant Dave Hanrahan explained that the theft was from Moore’s Pharmacy on Duke Street in Athy on 23 January, 2025.
“If I did, I’m sorry. My brother was only dead a few weeks, and I relapsed,” said Ms Costello.
Her solicitor Chloe Donegan complained to the judge that she hadn’t yet been able to properly confide with her client.
“Chloe couldn’t get through,” said the defendant.
“To be fair, you said that,” said the judge, who then summoned the duty Prison Officer supervising the client calls and videolink juggling.
“She’ll have to join a queue – we only have the one phone,” said a prison officer.
“Is it being run by Ryanair?” mused the judge.
The matter was adjourned briefly and upon second calling it was revealed Ms Costello had already pleaded guilty to the offence on a date last year.
Sgt Hanrahan explained that she was recognised by CCTV and that the products were recovered.
“They were taken from a stand just inside the front door,” he said, before revealing Ms Costello had 22 previous convictions, including eight for theft, and one for handling stolen goods.
It was also explained to the court how Ms Costello had been sentenced on 6 December in an unrelated case, with a release date of 8 October.
“Leona used to have a job in a bank until she fell victim to drug use as this court has seen time and time before,” said Ms Donegan.
“She is now clean, has a 16-year-old daughter, she’s not in Tusla, and so I’d plead with you not to increase her sentence.” The judge accepted this, and sentenced her to a six-month sentence, but ruled it served concurrent with her present sentence from the day of court.
“I haven’t added one minute to your sentence,” said the judge.
“Thank you, judge, have a nice day,” said the defendant.
“Bye Chloe,” she added, before standing and returning to her cell.
