‘Tragic’woman returned to jail for recent offences
Mary Foley, 33, will spend Christmas in jail unless she can come up with an independent surety of €800 to get out on appeal of a seven-month prison term imposed on her yesterday. Foley, who has multiple previous convictions for shoplifting, pleaded guilty to two more similar offences yesterday.
Foley, who lives at the Simon Community in Cork, admitted stealing goods at TK Maxx on Cornmarket Street on December 7, and being drunk at the time. She also admitted shoplifting at Maher’s Sports on Maylor St on November 11.
Inspector Eileen Foster said that, even since 2013, the accused had clocked up 30 theft convictions.
Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said of Foley: “She [has] had a very tragic life. Her partner died coming back from a visit to her in prison.”
Three of her siblings died young, including two as a result of addiction difficulties. Mr Kelleher said that the accused had underlying depression and that this was exacerbated whenever the anniversary of a loved one occurred. On top of that, she experienced serious post-natal depression. The solicitor said Foley resorted to alcohol whenever the depression became an issue.
Judge Malone said that, with the amount of previous convictions, there had to be a custodial sentence and imposed a seven-month term.
