'It is not the system’s failure': Cork judge jails serial shoplifter 

Cork woman branded a 'menace' as she is sentenced to six months in prison

Lawyer Joseph Cuddigan complained at Cork District Court that when Margaret Deasy, aged 37, finishes a prison sentence she is simply ‘turfed out’ with nowhere to go and she falls back into crime.

A woman who was convicted of shoplifting 178 times committed three more thefts last week — including snatching €280 worth of steaks from a supermarket — and now she has been failed by the system, her lawyer claimed.

Joseph Cuddigan complained at Cork District Court that when Margaret Deasy, aged 37, finishes a prison sentence she is simply ‘turfed out’ with nowhere to go and she falls back into her previous patterns. Mr Cuddigan said that in Nordic countries there is a half-way house that prisoners can attend on their release from custody and that this is not available in Ireland.

However, Judge Mary Dorgan disagreed and said: “It is not the system’s failure, the system is not sending her in to steal in Dunnes, Tesco and Marks and Spencer in one day, she did that herself.” 

Mr Cuddigan said: “What I am saying is that in other countries there is a half-way house, in this country there is not.” 

Judge Dorgan said: “What is stopping her walking to Arbour House? There is nothing stopping her. She was put on probation bonds previously. Everything was done for her.

“The situation is very sad for her. But equally it is sad for the stores and the guards going after her for these offences.

“She has had plenty of assistance from the system as you call it. Since 2007, she has been on several probation bonds. She also has the services of Simon, she has the services of Coolmine, of Cuan Mhuire, of Tabor Lodge. I don’t think she is the victim of the system. 

"I think Mr Cuddigan and I can agree she is the victim of her own very sad addiction to drink. I would urge her to attend for services. There are very good services.”

Following a brief adjournment to establish how many times the accused has been put on probation bonds, Mr Cuddigan said: “There may be a misunderstanding — this has worked in Nordic countries.” 

Judge Dorgan said Deasy’s latest offences consisted of shoplifting at three stores in one day on September 26. “She is a menace, she is stealing again. And that was in one day.” 

Judge Dorgan imposed an eight-month prison sentence with the last two months suspended for 12 months on condition that she complies with directions of the probation service on her release from prison.