Sisters concealed groceries in baby's buggy, Kildare court hears
Photo for illustrative purposes only
THREE sisters who tried to conceal €420 worth of groceries in a baby’s buggy avoided jail when they offered a €420 donation to Cuan Mhuire rehab unit, but were also fined €500 each.
Mary Berry-Wall (33), and Margaret Cash (21), both with the same address at De Selby Park in Tallaght, Dublin 24; and their sister Elizabeth Berry (28) from Cross West, Tallaght appeared in Athy District Court together last week (27 October).
All three were there to plead guilty to the theft of “groceries and cleaning products” from Dealz on Duke Street in Athy on 7 October at 1.20pm.
“They concealed the items in a child’s buggy,” said Sergeant Ruth Coleman, who added that the DPP had ruled this case was for “summary disposal”, ie. to be dealt with in the lower courts.
“No allegation of violence?” checked Judge Desmond Zaidan, to which Sgt Coleman confirmed: “No.”
“There is a guilty plea from all three, as they want to deal with it today,” explained their barrister Ms McTaggart.
The sergeant explained that only Elizabeth had previous convictions, three for theft, while her sisters had none.
“These are three sisters going through difficult times. They are all on social welfare, and have brought €420 as a gesture of goodwill,” said Ms McTaggart.
“All the goods were in a recoverable condition, and they have eight children between the three of them,” she added.
“Thankfully none of the items were destroyed, so I’m ordering the €420 be donated to Cuan Mhuire,” ruled the judge.
“The temptation was to send them to prison, but there was no violence involved, so I’m fining them €500 each, and thy can have six months to pay.”
