Donegal mother-of-three refused bail after €550 grocery theft

A Donegal woman facing 40 theft charges has been remanded in custody after committing another robbery.

Mother-of-three Lisa Mongan was arrested for allegedly stealing €550 of groceries and alcohol from a Ballybofey supermarket.

Ms Mongan appeared at Falcarragh District Court, sitting in Letterkenny courthouse, following the latest shoplifting incident.

She was charged with the alleged theft at Kavanagh's Supervalu on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

She is charged that she did steal property to wit a large quantity of bottles of alcohol to the value of approximately €400 and groceries to the value of €150 the property of Kavanagh's Supervalu, Trusk Road, Ballybofey.

The court was told that when arrested by Garda Brendan Carr, the accused replied: "I'm sorry about that, guard."

Solicitor for Ms Mongan, Mr Rory O'Brien, applied to have his client released on bail.

Ms Mongan told the court that she is "trying to change my ways" and admitted that she needed help but claimed that she was "forced" to commit the theft.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins objected to bail and outlined his reasons for the objection.

The court was also told that as part of her current bail conditions, Ms Mongan had been instructed by the court to stay out of shops in Letterkenny, Ballybofey and Inishowen.

Having listened to both applications, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham refused bail.

She remanded Ms Mongan, of Cashel Park, Letterkenny, in custody to appear by videolink to next Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court.