Raider gets stuck in church window

A young woman who got stuck in a church window, when she tried to commit a burglary, was yesterday given a total jail term of six months.

Leanne Hegarty had been hoisted on to the window by a male accomplice.

Judge Leo Malone sentenced her to four months in jail on a series of crimes, including the church burglary.

Sentencing had been adjourned last week as her latest offences put her in breach of a suspended jail term from a Mallow court.

Judge Malone was told yesterday the suspension on the sentence of 60 days had been revoked on Tuesday, leading to a total of six months jail.

Ms Hegarty, of 48 Gurranabraher Avenue, Cork, had pleaded guilty last week to the offence of burglary at the South Parish church on Dunbar St, Cork, on June 26.

A witness observed the break-in. First a window of the church was smashed and then a male accomplice lifted the accused up to the window and she tried unsuccessfully to climb in, getting stuck in the process.

Gardaí arrived and arrested the 21-year-old and her accomplice.

Charges included trespass of the church with intent to steal.

She also admitted her part in a handbag snatch at Supermacs fast-food restaurant at North Main St, Cork, on May 10.

Her male accomplice ran out the door with the handbag which had contained €100 in cash as well as an iPhone, iPad, headphones, and other items.

Ms Hegarty also pleaded guilty to shoplifting at Dealz on Grand Parade and at two city centre pharmacies, McCarthy’s and Lloyd’s.

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said that another suspended jail term was not activated by the sentencing judge but that the Mallow sentence was activated.

“She is a lady who has had a chronic difficulty with substances up to and including diamorphine [heroin]. She had been on a methadone treatment programme.

“Unfortunately, she had stopped taking the methadone and attempted to get treatment at St Francis Farm where it was necessary to be free of all substances before admission. She should not have come off the methadone and attempt to get clear of heroin on her own and she ended up going back on heroin and getting involved in these offences,” said Mr Buttimer.