Female accomplices get jail sentences in Cootehill burglary case
A Cootehill-based woman who broke into a house with the aid of a female accomplice, before making off with a box of coins containing upwards of €140, was given a six-month prison sentence when the matter came before Monaghan District Court.
Ruth Oburu (35), with an address at Lodge View, Cootehill, and Katrina Kelly (28), of the same address, both pleaded guilty to entering the home at Drumnaveil North, Cootehill, on May 19, and stealing the cash while on the premises.
Thefts
Oburu also admitted stealing doughnuts worth €3, groceries valued at €49.90, and an assortment of items coming to €30.15, all at Centra, Drumalee, Cavan Town, on May 6, April 30 and April 15 last respectively.
Kelly, for her part, entered guilty pleas to stealing a packet of Panadol worth €3.70 from Centra, Drumalee, on April 30, as well as the theft of cosmetics valued at €86 from Maguire Hair & Beauty Supplies, Cavan, on April 28, 2025.
In a yet another case that highlights the repercussions of the temporary release system being utilised by the Prison Service with a view to alleviating overcrowding, it was confirmed to Judge Gerry Jones that Oburu wasn’t serving any prison term at the time of the hearing on May 28 even though she received a five-month sentence a month earlier, April 28.
‘Revolving door’
Sergeant Lisa McEntee, prosecuting, told the judge her understanding is that Oburu was out on temporary release.
At the court on April 28, when the defendant was before Judge Raymond Finnegan for a theft from Foy’s SuperValu in Cootehill, her barrister assured the court, because she had breached the terms of her temporary release in respect of sentences amounting to four months imposed on April 12, Oburu would not be eligible for release again and would serve out any sentence given to her.
This prompted Judge Finnegan to remark “she might and she mightn’t”, as he pointed to what appeared to be a “revolving door” policy.
The judge handed down a five-month prison sentence at that point, but Oburu was subsequently charged with theft from Centra, Drumalee, only two days later on April 30, and then again on May 6.
Arrest
At the most recent hearing before Judge Jones in Monaghan, Garda Cathal Mugan gave evidence on arresting both women the previous day on foot of bench warrants issued at Cavan District Court on May 15, where each failed to appear on separate charges.
Sergeant Lisa McEntee said the matter before the court was in relation to a burglary at about 4:30pm on May 19, at a private residence at Drumnaveil North in Cootehill, where both defendants entered the home and stole cash valued at over €140.
The homeowner’s son was not at home at the time, and his room was entered through a window. A tin box containing cash was taken.
135 prior convictions
In relation Oburu, the court heard she had 135 previous convictions, the vast majority of which were for theft, with some others for drugs offences and also failing to appear in court.
Her most recent conviction recorded at Monaghan District Court was on April 28, where Oburu received a five-month prison sentence in relation to the theft at Foy’s SuperValu, Cootehill.
On April 12 she was given two consecutive sentences of two-months each (four months total), also for thefts.
On January 20 at Balbriggan District Court Oburu got two months’ jail for theft; while on January 7 a two-month term was handed down at Trim District Court for a similar offence.
When Judge Jones asked if Oburu was currently serving any sentence, Sgt McEntee said she was not, adding it appeared the defendant was out on temporary release.
In respect of co-accused Kelly, the sergeant said she had 51 previous convictions.
The most recent was at Dublin’s Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on February 28 for a theft, where she received a five-month suspended sentence.
Kelly also had convictions for drugs and public order at Cavan District Court; while at Letterkenny Circuit Court in 2022 she was given a two-year suspended sentence for assault causing harm and bound to the peace for two years. Also in 2022, she got suspended sentences at Cavan Circuit Court for burglary, forgery and a further theft offence.
Sgt McEntee confirmed to the judge the defendants had no connection to the house they entered in Cootehill, and they “just saw the open window and took the opportunity”.
It was accepted by Damien Rudden, solicitor, representing both, that, unfortunately none of the money taken was recovered.
Difficulties
He said Kelly lived at Lodge View, quite close to the private Drumnaveil estate where the house was burgled.
Stating that this was “an opportunistic crime committed by both”, he pointed out that they pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and argued that they should be given credit for that.
He said Kelly was a single mother who came from a very difficult background. Her partner died in tragic circumstances a number of years ago, and her family had broken down as a result. Her three children are now in care and she had fallen into addiction. She is on a methadone programme and had been engaging three times a week with Merchant’s Quay while planning to reconnect with her children.
In relation to Oburu, the solicitor said she was a single lady who also came from a difficult background and had addiction issues. She, too, is on a methadone programme.
Crimes “all over the country”
Mr Rudden said it was accepted his clients “extensive” records, and the crimes appear to have been “committed all over the country”.
It was admitted that none of the goods stolen were recovered, and that there was “no real prospect” of compensation.
In passing sentence, Judge Jones said he regarded breaking into a person’s home as a very serious offence. He also noted that both ladies had previous convictions.
Sentencing
On that basis, for the burglary at Cootehill he sentenced Oburu to six months at Mountjoy’s Dochás Centre and Kelly to four months.
Recognisances were fixed in the event of appeal.
The other theft offences at the retail outlets in Cavan were meanwhile taken into consideration.