Woman (67) imprisoned for spate of thefts across region

A 67-year-old woman will serve 15 months in prison for a series of 'opportunistic' thefts she carried out in Waterford, Wexford and Dublin. 

Caroline Duffin, of 16 Mount George, Wexford, appeared for sentencing at Waterford Circuit Court before Judge Eugene O'Kelly.

Detective Garda Sean Lane gave evidence at the sentencing hearing. 

The Court heard that on October 8, 2021, Duffin stole a handbag from a woman in Penney's on Barronstrand, Waterford City. The bag was put down by the victim because she had mobility issues. The victim had taken out her life savings, over €4,200, to repair the boiler in her home. Duffin was identified through CCTV inside the shop. 

On September 17, of the same year, Duffin stole the handbag of a woman sitting in the Food Hall at City Square Shopping Centre. 

Det. Gda. Lane told the Court that the defendant had 174 previous convictions prior to the matters at hand: 170 for theft and four for failure to show in Court. 

On October 12, 2024, Duffin stole a purse containing €180 in a Dunne's outlet in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. On January 30, 2025, at a Dunne's on Henry Street, in Dublin, she stole two handbags. 

According to defence counsel Gareth Hayden, the defendant had been engaging with probation services since 1983. Mr Hayden said that his client had a very tragic youth, having been sent to a mother and baby home and having her child taken from her against her will. 

Duffin had a diagnosis of kleptomania, a mental health disorder that causes the sufferer to steal compulsively. Mr Hayden stated that his client had a diagnosis of esophageal cancer and would need a great deal of medical care and support while in custody. 

Judge O'Kelly referred to the victim impact statement which detailed the sorrow and fear felt by the injured party in the aftermath of the theft at Penney's. The crime left her in a state of always 'looking over her shoulder'. 

Judge O'Kelly sentenced Duffin to 15 months in prison.