Pregnant woman pleads guilty to theft at health and wellness store in Limerick
The woman’s solicitor said her client has ‘occasional periods of being well’ but that the 26-year-old needs to ‘sort her difficulties out’
A PREGNANT woman has been sentenced at Limerick District Court following her role in a theft this past summer.
Natasha McNeill, aged 26, with an address at Wilderness Grove, Clonmel, Tipperary, appeared before Judge Patricia Harney via video-link from Limerick Prison.
Prosecuting Sergeant Jimmy Dillane informed the court that at about 4pm on June 11, gardai received a report regarding a theft from health store Holland & Barrett, in the Arthur’s Quay shopping centre.
Speaking via video-link, Ms McNeill confirmed that she wanted to plead guilty to the €281.63 theft. Her solicitor, Sarah Ryan, confirmed that the goods were not recovered in this case.
Judge Harney was informed that the woman has 62 previous convictions, including 30 for theft, one for robbery, two for handling stolen property, three for burglary, one for trespass, six for bail offences and eight for public order, among others.
A bench warrant for Ms McNeill was previously executed and she was also refused bail.
The woman’s solicitor said her client has “occasional periods of being well” but that the 26-year-old needs to “sort her difficulties out.”
Upon hearing the facts outlined, Judge Harney sentenced Natasha McNeill to two months’ imprisonment, which will be backdated to September 3 - when she first entered custody.
Following her conviction, the defendant informed the court that she is pregnant and an order was then made to direct all appropriate medical attention towards Ms McNeill.
She will be due for release in early November.
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