A 20-year-old woman who "wreaks havoc on the business community" and is a "plague to society" with her repetitive stealing has been sentenced to 22 months in detention.
Eileen Ward of Dromore, Raphoe pleaded guilty to twelve charges of theft and two motoring offences before Judge Desmond Zaidan at a recent special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
The first charge before the court took place at Tesco Letterkenny on October 25, 2006 when the defendant stole children's clothing to the value of ¤60 and a DVD worth ¤25. On October 4 she took a DVD from the shelf in Tesco, and smashed the security box which it was in. The total value of damage was ¤41.
Ward pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from Pulse Accessories in Letterkenny Shopping Centre on September 20 last year when she was confronted by a member of staff and found to have jewellery hidden up her top.
The next charge before the court took place on November 22 last when Ward and her sister-in-law had stuffed bags up their tops and caused a distraction in Next, Letterkenny, and stole ¤113-worth of baby clothing and jeans.
Garda Neil McManus told Judge Zaidan that on March 30 Ward was in a taxi at 4.40am with some other people. They were smoking cigarettes and when the driver asked them to refrain they stamped them out on the floor causing ¤80 worth of criminal damage. The taxi fare of ¤28.50 was also not paid.
A further charge related to April 18 when Ward entered Finesse clothing at Gortlee at 5.45pm. She distracted staff by asking about dresses at the back of the shop when her accomplice took a bag of money containing ¤200 from the shop counter. When the shop assistant confronted the defendant the bag of money was thrown back at her which was later found to have ¤18 missing.
Judge Zaidan heard further that on November 22 last year Ward entered 'B Young' on Main Street Ballybofey and took clothing valued at ¤256.84 without making any attempt to pay.
On June 25, 2006 Ward, along with family members entered the Gala filling station at Killyclug and was seen on CCTV stealing ¤60-worth of pre-packed rashers and sausages.
On June 30 last year the defendant stole a bag containing ¤100 from 'A:Wear' on Letterkenny's Main Street. And on July 21 along with others she stole two pairs of men's shoes, valued at ¤80, from TK Maxx by removing security tags. On May 9 this year she also stole a top from Heatons in the Courtyard shopping centre. She was caught on CCTV entering the store and leaving with a different top on.
Ward also stole a purse which had been left on a counter in Argos on July 20 last year. The purse contained ¤73 and ten pounds sterling as well as medical and bank cards. The defendant used one of the bank cards to withdraw ¤550 which was never recovered.
Ward was also before the court for two motoring offences. On April 6 this year at 9.10pm Ward was stopped by Garda Malone in McDonald's car park, Letterkenny. He asked her to produce her licence and insurance documentation which she said she would do at Raphoe Garda Station within ten days but subsequently failed to do. Similarly she was stopped by Garda Peter Shankey-Smith on September 9 at Dromore, Raphoe where a similar demand was made. On this occasion Ward gave her name as Catherine McDonagh.
EARLY NOTICE
Inspector James Ruane told Judge Zaidan that during his short tenure in Letterkenny the Ward family background came to note within four days of his arrival to which Judge Zaidan replied: "You are ahead of me. It has taken me six months."
Inspector Ruane continued: "This family has a propensity for theft and there a range of offences before the court. Eileen Ward wreaks havoc on business premises and the business community across the country, not just in Donegal."
"She is a 20-year-old who knows her own mind and is not led by other people. She is eking out an existence on the back of thievery from the business community. She is very much a thorn in their side."
Garda Ruane also described Ward as a kleptomaniac, and when asked to explain further by Judge Zaidan he said: "She just can't stop stealing Judge." Judge Zaidan asked Inspector Ruane if there was a cure, to which he replied: "I think you may have the cure."
The court heard that Eileen Ward is strongly influenced by her mother-in-law, Ann Ward whom she seems to be "idolising". Judge Zaidan noted, however, that it was more a case of being influenced by her.
The defendant's solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher stated: "If my client is addicted to stealing then why should she be treated any different to someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol? She has a disease and it needs to be addressed."
"I am more concerned about the influences and pressures put on her within her own peer group. She is a member of the Travelling Community and there is a certain idolisation within that as to what people can do and what they can get away with."
The court heard that Eileen Ward was married at 17 and has an eight-month-old son who is seriously ill in a Dublin hospital.
Last week Ward was received a ten month sentence when she came before Monaghan District Court.
Judge Zaidan pointed out that had Ward opted to be tried by a judge and jury she could be facing a prison sentence of over 100 years. He also noted that a number of offences were committed while on bail.
In conclusion Judge Zaidan stated: "I am coming to the end of the sympathy factor"
He added: "There is not much point in me imposing a sentence if the prison authorities are going to release her within three weeks like they did with her mother-in-law. I have no doubt that this woman is the way she is because of the environment and company she is in."
Ward was sentenced to a total of 22 months in detention with the last six months suspended. Judge Zaidan also strongly recommended that she receive counselling and any help available for her "persistent and habitual thievery".
