A 31-year-old woman has appeared in court after persuading a child to conceal a number of stolen items in a pram before the minor pushed it out of a store.
Katelyn Reilly was further charged with a similar offence at another shop in Letterkenny.
Addressing the case at Letterkenny District Court, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said she was “appalled” that minors had been used in such a way to commit a criminal act.
The court heard that the defendant had stolen property from the LIDL store at Pearse Road, Letterkenny, on March 21 last including an Under Armour backpack and Easter egg gifts to the total value of €80.
CCTV footage had shown the woman getting a child to conceal the items in a pram before the minor wheeled it out of the store.
A second charge related to an incident at Dunnes Stores at Letterkenny Retail Park on May 11 last when assorted clothing valued at €100 was stolen.
On this occasion, Reilly was filmed filling a bag before giving it to a child to carry out of the premises.
Representing the defendant, solicitor Patsy Gallagher told the court his client had been suffering from mental health issues and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Reilly, with an address at Canal Road, Letterkenny, had no previous convictions.
The minors involved in the matters had been dealt with by the juvenile liaison scheme.
Adjourning the case to January 27 to await a Probation Report, Judge Cunningham said it had been aggravated by the fact that children had been used in the thefts.
“What kind of example is this and what kind of path is this leading children down?
“I’m just appalled by it – it is a very serious matter when a minor is asked to do something that is criminal.
“I’m not impressed,” Judge Cunningham declared.
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