Recovering alcoholic fined € 500 for theft
A RECOVERING alcoholic, who stole bedclothes from a Swords department store as she was sleeping on a friend's couch, has been fined € 500. Mary Flood, Mountfield Park, Malahide, appeared before Judge Patrick Brady at Swords District Court last week. Flood, who is 58, pleaded guilty to theft following an incident at Penney's in Swords, on February 21st this year.
Sgt Pat Thornton said the Director of Public Prosecutions had recommended disposing of the charge summarily and Judge Brady accepted jurisdiction. Sgt Thornton told the court Flood had eight previous convictions, including five for theft, for which she had received a 14-day suspended sentence in July 2009. Defending the accused, Flood's solicitor told the court her client suffered from anxiety and depression and was on 'multiple medications'.
'He partner died of a massive coronary and she suffered a nervous breakdown,' the solicitor said, handing in documentation from a GP.
'She is a recovering alcoholic and the medication makes her forgetful and she can't think straight. She has a son and daughter, who brought her home from Spain when her partner died.
'Her daughter is also an alcoholic and threw her out of the house. At the time of the incident, she was sleeping on a friend's couch and was suicidal. 'She was in Penney's and had € 70 with her. She picked up a piece of extra linen and duvet covers and forgot she had them, due to the medication.' The court was told Flood had contacted her GP in the week following the incident and was now only taking a single tablet for depression and another for her blood pressure.
'She was essentially homeless,' the solicitor added.
'She went in to buy duvet covers as she was sleeping on a couch. She lives on a widow's pension – her first husband died – and she attends counselling.' Judge Brady fined Flood € 500 and gave her two months to pay.
