A woman was sentenced for stealing a phone more than two years ago this week after skipping a hearing date and taking multiple bench warrants.
Tracy Mulqueen (35), with a listed address at Kilnasoolagh Park, Newmarket On Fergus in Co. Clare, pleaded guilty to stealing a phone from Cash Creators store on Eglinton Street back on December 21, 2017.
She was identified on cctv and subsequently arrested after the incident. The phone, valued at €399, was not recovered.
Ms Mulqueen also pleaded guilty to Failing to Appear before the District Court while on bail last December.
She had previously taken a dedicated hearing date at Galway District Court to contest the charge, and failed to show up for her own hearing.
Two bench warrants for her arrest were issued from Galway during the course of this case, which were executed in Ennis.
After being arrested in Ennis on foot of these bench warrants, and another from Limerick, she did not take up bail.
Judge Mary Fahy remarked that “she’s certainly put the state to some trouble and expense.” at this week’s sentencing.
Solicitor for the accused Ronan Murphy said that his client has a long history of addiction, and is currently in emergency accommodation.
He also said that at the time of this offence she was in a relationship with a man who was “exercising a certain amount of control over her”, and that this person took the phone off her.
Judge Fahy said that she was not suitable for Community Service due to the missed court dates and bench warrants.
She imposed a prison sentence of 4 months for the phone theft, with a two month concurrent sentence on the failure to appear charge.
The judge refused to suspend any part of the sentence, saying that the manner in which Ms Mulqueen dealt with this case is “disgraceful”.
Recognisance was fixed at a total of €1,000 in the event of an appeal, which includes €400 of her own money and a €600 independent surety.
