Woman had younger family member help steal cosmetics, Waterford court told
Waterford courthouse
A mother of three who stole €70 worth of cosmetics got a younger family member to take them from the store, Waterford District Court has heard.
Bridget McDonagh (43), of 22 Willow Grove, Oakridge, Ferrybank, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to theft contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
Sergeant John Phelan told the court that on August 25, 2025, the defendant took a box of cosmetics from Aldi in City Square and had a younger family member leave without paying.
The items worth €70 were not recovered.
The court was told that the defendant had five previous convictions, including one for theft.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty told the court that his client has three children and is pregnant with her fourth.
He said she was desperate for money and “not the master of her own fortune”.
The solicitor said he does not know why she stole the items but suspects she was told to.
His client apologised but has no money to repay the value.
Judge John Cheatle applied Section 1.1 of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907.
