Women sent for trial over 26 thefts from Ballybofey supermarket

Two women are to stand trial after being charged with a litany of thefts from a Ballybofey supermarket.

Shop assistants Patricia Sweeney and co-worker Bernadette McGahern are charged with a total of 26 charges of theft from Solo Stores at Sessiaghoneill, Ballybofey.

Both women appeared at Letterkenny District Court when they were served with books of evidence in the case by Detective Garda John O'Sulliivan.

Garda Sergeant Gerard Dalton said the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented that both women should be sent forward to stand trial at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing on May 20, 2025.

The pair are charged with stealing goods and money over a three-month period between October 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 with each facing 13 charges.

No details of the specific thefts or the amount of cash involved was given in court.

Ms McGahern, aged 59, has an address of Towns Park in Convoy while her co-accused Ms Sweeney, aged 60, has an address of Sessiagh View in Ballybofey.

All 26 charges are Contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences Act of 2001. Detective Garda Sergeant John O'Sullivan outlined the charges.

Both women were represented by solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher who requested one counsel for each of the women.

He previously said the cases involved alleged incidents over a long period of time as part of a very substantial investigation.

He also outlined that because of the nature of the cases, both women had not been working. Legal aid was granted to both women by Judge Eiteain Cunningham.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham gave the alibi warning to both accused women.

She adjourned the cases until May 20, 2025 at the Circuit Court.