Woman stole handbag from restaurant frequented by Offaly customers

A suspended sentence was handed down to a woman who stole a handbag from an Indian restaurant in Laois.

Nora Lynch, 51, of 6 Ruanbeg Park, Ruanbeg Manor, Kildare was accused of burglary at the Great India restaurant on French Church Street, Portarlington on June 25, 2022. The court heard the bag contained care products and an iphone charger. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had been due to bring €500 to court for the injured party. 

A defending solicitor said “she doesn’t have the money judge. She is not in a position to pay it today.” 

Judge Andrew Cody said the woman had 94 previous convictions including 21 for theft. 

Her solicitor said the offence had occurred when she was using drink and drugs. He said she was now clean but her grandfather passed away two months ago and she is paying for his funeral in instalments. 

Judge Cody said the woman has had two years to pay the money. 

“Ms Lynch asked me to inform the court that she has recently been diagnosed with cancer,” the solicitor said.

He appealed for leniency or an extension of time to pay the compensation. 

Judge Andrew Cody handed down a six month sentence which was suspended for two years on condition that the woman pays the €500 on or before October 1, 2024.