No jail for mum stealing to feed children

A mother of five who said she was forced to steal food and clothes for her children has escaped a conviction at the end of a case that saw the HSE and the Department of Social Welfare appearing before a district judge.

Guna Levcenkova thanked members of the public for their support. It emerged strangers had driven from Belfast to bring her food and schoolbooks after reading about her plight.

At Dundalk District Court yesterday, Judge William Hamill heard Ms Levcenkova, aged 30, had completed 40 hours voluntary work and has been offered a job on a Community Employment Scheme.