Woman at risk of jail for Offaly milk carton theft says 'sorry'

A WOMAN has been warned that she is at risk of being jailed because stealing a carton of milk could result in the imposition of a previously suspended sentence.

Leanne Dooley (31), Kilbride Street, Tullamore pleaded guilty at the local District Court to stealing a carton of milk valued at 69 cents from Aldi, O'Connell Row, Tullamore on July 26 last.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that 25 of Ms Dooley's 50 previous convictions were for theft and she had been convicted of possessing a controlled drug at Loughrea District Court on February 19 last.

Sergeant Kearns also said a three-and-a-half year prison sentence, part suspended, had been imposed on Ms Dooley on December 10, 2024 for robbery and she had been bound to the peace for two years.

The court heard Ms Dooley had previously been on probation and had finished a bond.

Judge Cody told the woman: “The theft of a carton of milk could in theory land you in jail for two years, not by me, but by the conditions of a suspended sentence.”

Ms Dooley replied that she was “sorry” and the judge put the matter back to November 18 for a probation and welfare report.

He advised her to co-operate fully with the probation service, or “you could be sent back to the Circuit Court”.

Ms Dooley, who is on bail, is also accused of the theft of cosmetics valued at €15 from Boots and that charge was put back to October 14 for a plea.

If a plea of not guilty is entered a hearing will take take place on November 16, the judge said.

(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)