Shoplifter had ‘horrendous history of offending’

By Liam Heylin

A Young Offenders cast member who admitted shoplifting twice at Blarney Woollen Mills had a horrendous history of offending, the sentencing judge said.

Lisa Moran, of 56 Thomas Davis St, Cork, faced sentencing at Cork District Court yesterday for stealing a wallet on one visit to Blarney Woollen Mills, and taking a Newbridge silverware watch on another occasion.

When Sergeant Aidan O’Connell caught up with the 47-year-old, she was wearing a Newbridge watch.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, accepted that the accused had a dreadful record.

However, he presented evidence of steps which she had taken to put her life on a better footing, including her participation as a member of the cast of the hit comedy series The Young Offenders. He said she spent a week on set for her part in it.

Judge Mary Dorgan acknowledged the participation of Moran in the programme. However, the judge said she was more impressed by the work being done by the accused for the benefit of the homeless and her work in rehabilitating through Narcotics Anonymous.

Inspector John Deasy said that on April 28, 2016, two women were seen on CCTV at the Woollen Mills. They were each carrying a bag and they both stole a ladies’ wallet valued at €45.

The following year, on March 25, 2017, Moran was seen in the jewellery section stealing the €95 watch.

On April 5 this year, Sergeant Aidan O’Connell stopped Moran driving at Dublin Hill and he was aware of the thefts at Blarney Woollen Mills. He also observed that Moran was wearing a Newbridge watch identical to the one stolen the previous year.

She admitted both thefts. Judge Dorgan said she wanted to see a probation report on the accused in relation to her suitability for community service. This was adjourned for eight weeks.

Inspector Deasy said the defendant had 165 previous convictions, including many for theft and some for assault.