Longford burglary conviction overturned on appeal

A woman convicted of theft longford The Regional Court decided to annul all sentences imposed following an appeal to the Regional Court of Justice.

Nora McDonagh (31), 35 Park Street, Dundalk, Louth, was previously convicted at Longford District Court on 2 March 2023 of stealing goods worth €400 from Dunnes Stores in Dublin Road, Longford, on 10 April 2021. .
While the matter was initially before the District Court, the assistant store manager at Dunne Stores testified that he witnessed up to half a dozen women entering the premises between 6 and 7 p.m.

He said two of the group were seen entering a section of the store that had been cordoned off due to Covid-19.
The witness said five men from the group left the store and five or ten minutes later jumped into a blue hatchback with Ms McDonagh.

The court heard the defendant was seen leaving with two jackets tied around his waist.
In the stock inspection carried out the next day, it was determined that the net value of the products purchased from the store was € 400.
Garda Anthony Scanlon gave evidence that he asked a Garda colleague, Sergeant Vincent Healy, if he could pick out anyone in the CCTV footage taken from the scene; this request ultimately led to the identification of Ms. McDonagh.

At the hearing in March 2023, the appellant protested his innocence, saying: “Your Honor, I didn’t steal anything from that store that day.” Judge Vincent Deane sentenced Ms McDonagh to six months in prison.

On appeal to the District Court last week, the State told Judge Kenneth Connolly that its witnesses did not want to come to court. Judge Connolly said that if the State’s witness did not appear he would have to allow the appeal and vacate all sentences imposed in the District Court.

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