‘Borderline kleptomaniac’ jailed

A 35-YEAR-OLD woman who stole items from a Cootehill supermarket was described by the judge as a “borderline kleptomaniac” before receiving a five-month prison term in view of numerous previous theft convictions.

The so-called “revolving door” issue in relation to prisons was also remarked on during the hearing at Monaghan District Court, where Judge Raymond Finnegan wondered whether a jail term imposed on the defendant might be served at all. This was after he was told how she was on temporary release when the offence before the court was committed.

Ruth Oburu with an address at 46 Lodge View, Cootehill, pleaded guilty to stealing toiletries and groceries worth €20 from Foy’s SuperValu, Market Street, Cootehill on Sunday, April 27 last. She appeared before court the following day, in custody, in relation to the charge.

Sergeant Lisa McEntee said the defendant had 136 previous convictions, 107 being for thefts. The most recent was recorded on April 12 last, when she received two consecutive, two-month sentences for a number of theft incidents.

It was confirmed to Judge Finnegan that the SuperValu offence before the court had been committed while Ms Oburu was on temporary release.

Barrister Sara Brennan said her client was released from the Dóchas Centre due to overcrowding, with a condition being that she return to Cootehill where she lives with her partner. But she had no money and took the toiletries and groceries in an act that “seemed to have been done out of desperation”.

This had put her client in breach of the temporary release conditions, Ms Brennan conceded, as a result of which she would not be eligible for another release and would serve the sentence.

This prompted Judge Finnegan to remark, “She might and she mightn’t”, as there appeared to be a “revolving door”.

Sgt McEntee agreed, commenting: “It seems to be that way.”

Ms Brennan said the defendant has a very extensive drugs problem and is now on methadone.

When the lawyer said Ms Oburu never had the benefit of community service, Judge Finnegan countered that he had no doubt that someone with such a long list of previous convictions must have been considered at some point for such work.

“With that sort of previous, she’s a borderline kleptomaniac,” he observed.

Asking that the court do the best it could for her client, Ms Brennan emphasised how she was most co-operative with the gardaí at all times. Sgt McEntee agreed.

Imposing five months’ imprisonment, Judge Finnegan said he was in fact giving Ms Oburu a “substantial reduction”, taking account of her co-operation and the way the she was dealing with case.