Woman stole over €1,000 worth of goods from Dunnes, Tesco and Penneys stores in Kildare

A woman who stole over €1,000 worth of items from four stores appeared before Naas District Court.

The defendant was in custody for the hearing and appeared via videolink.

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Leona Costello, 37, whose address was given as No Fixed abode, Naas, was prosecuted for taking items from Dunnes stores in Newbridge on June 11, 2022; a Tesco store in Newbridge on June 17, 2024; clothing from Penneys in Newbridge on September 22, 2023 and goods from the Tesco store at Blessington Road, Naas on October 16, 2024.

The value of the items ranged from €208 to €442.

Sgt Mary Meade told the hearing that the defendant had 22 previous convictions, including nine under the Theft Act.

The court was also told that all of the goods were recovered and there was no violence associated with any of the incidents.

Defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said the woman had undertaken an addiction treatment programme and was doing quite well until her brother died.

Mr Kennelly said she was very close to her brother whose passing hit her hard “and she relapsed.”

Mr Kennelly said that one of her co accused in a different case, which resulted in a back pack being stolen from a bus driver, has been murdered and this person had produced a knife during this incident.

Mr Kennelly said the defendant was under the influence of other people she was associated with at the time.

“She will hang around with anybody; she doesn’t know what she’s doing when she’s intoxicated," the solicitor added.

He said her role in the bus  incident was minor in comparison to the two others who were present.

The woman was bound to the peace for 12 months by Judge Desmond Zaidan, noting that no violence was used during the shop thefts and all of the goods were recovered.