Women stole after heroin ‘slip’

A woman who had been battling successfully with her heroin addition wept uncontrollably in court as she faced sentencing for shoplifting.

Niamh O’Sullivan, of 21 Bridevalley View, Fairhill, had done a lot of work on addressing her addiction, solicitor Eddie Burke, said at Cork District Court.

However, she had what the solicitor described as a slip a few days ago and ended up committing a theft at a store. O’Sullivan, aged 34, pleaded guilty to shoplifting.

Insp Mary King said the crime was committed at Boots, Blackpool, at 2pm on December 16. She stole €190 of goods and was caught.

Less than a month before this offence she had been put on a one-year probation bond for other thefts.

Remanded in custody since a special court sitting on Saturday, the defendant was described as having a long way to go but was determined to get back on a methadone maintenance programme.