Kildare woman stole noodles and alcohol

A woman living in Kildare admitted stealing alcohol and noodles from a shop.

Rachel Byrne (38) with an address at Mobile Home, Dublin Road, Monasterevin, Co Kildare admitted stealing deodorant valued at €26.80 from Centra, Main Street, Portarlington on December 23, 2025 and stealing items valued at €67.80 on January 21, 2026.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the woman went into the shop at 9am on December 23 and left without paying for four cans of deodorant.

On January 21, he said the woman stole three packs of noodles and two bottles of wine and none of the property was recovered. Sgt Kirby told the defendant he appreciated the guilty plea.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client hadn’t come to the attention of Gardai before 2023. She said the woman “developed addiction difficulties to alcohol and she fell homeless” and was currently living in a mobile home.
“She was struggling at the time of these offences,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.

She said the woman had previously worked in different jobs and she asked the judge to take note of the guilty plea.

Judge Susan Fay ordered a community service assessment and a probation report. She said the court would look favourably on her if she engages well with probation, said Judge Fay.

She granted legal aid and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 22.