A Shannon mother is back behind bars and will miss her son’s First Holy Communion tomorrow after being caught stealing kids clothes from Dunnes Stores two days before the celebration.

A judge yesterday imposed a three-year prison term on a woman who sparked a needless six-week long pursuit for a rapist around Shannon.

The HSE is to be informed by the Courts Service in Clare of all convictions relating to serious alcohol and drug abuse and dealing against parents of young children.