Suspended sentence for woman who made off from Donegal hotel without payment

A woman who made off from a Donegal Town hotel without making a payment has been given a suspended two-month prison sentence.

Helen Doyle, who has 33 previous convictions, appeared before Ballyshannon District Court.

She was charged that, on a date between May 3, 20022 and May 5, 2022 at a room in the Central Hotel, Donegal Town, having obtained services to the value of €50, knowing that payment on the spot was required, made off without making a payment.

The charge is contrary to section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

Inspector Michael Doherty outlined the matter to Judge Ciaran Liddy. The court heard that Doyle, a 33-year-old with a previous address in Cavan and now residing in Dublin, has 10 previous convictions for theft.

Mr Gerry McGovern, solicitor for Doyle, said his client is a mother-of-five who has been through “a very severe time”. He said she is attending a variety of institutions.

The accused woman explained these services to Judge Liddy.

“It is not for the want of trying,” Mr McGovern said. “A lot of it is not of her own doing.”

Judge Liddy sentenced the woman to two months in prison, but suspended the sentence for six months upon the accused entering into a bond of €100 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

Legal aid was granted to Mr McGovern.