Waterford woman stole walking frame from nursing home, court hears
Judge Kevin Staunton imposed a three month prison sentence, suspended for a year, when the case came before him at Waterford District Court. Stock Image.
A woman has been given a three-month suspended sentence at Waterford District Court for stealing a walking frame from a nursing home.
Linda Fahy (51) of 6 Butchers Lane, Waterford, pleaded guilty to theft at the Holy Ghost Nursing Home on the Cork Road on December 29, 2024, at a sitting before Judge Kevin Staunton.
Sergeant John Phelan told the court that on the day of the incident, gardaí responded to a report that a woman came to the home to visit a family member and when she left, she took a walking frame.
The walking frame was valued at €50 and the defendant was identified from CCTV.
The court was told that the defendant had 18 previous convictions, including for theft and criminal damage.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said that his client had not committed theft in six years.
He said that his client was told by her family member that it would be okay to take the walking frame, but now acknowledged that it wasn’t her family member's place to give.
Mr Cunningham said his client had recently had a hip replacement and had struggled with homelessness and mental health issues.
Judge Staunton said he found it hard to believe anyone would think taking a walking frame from a nursing home would be okay.
But he acknowledged that the defendant “has her challenges”.
The judge sentenced the defendant to three months in prison, but suspended the sentence for 12 months.
