Suspended sentence for woman (35) who stole cosmetics

A ROMANIAN woman, who stole cosmetics from a supermarket in Clones, was given a suspended eight-month prison sentence when a recent sitting of Monaghan District Court heard she had 21 similar theft convictions.

Isaura Lacatus (35) with an address at Carrickmeen House, Slane Road, Navan, Co Meath, admitted taking Bonjela and Zovirax worth €19.55 from Cumiskey’s SuperValu, Fermanagh Street, Clones, on February 7, 2025.

Sergeant Lisa McEntee said the defendant was seen entering the shop with a male friend. On CCTV she was recorded removing the items from their packaging and concealing them on her person. While passing the checkout, the pair paid for a number of smaller goods but not the items referred to, which were never recovered.

Lacatus had 21 previous convictions, the sergeant noted, all of which were for thefts committed in 2018 or before. The defendant was previously sentenced to a community service order in lieu of six months in prison.

Sara Brennan BL said her client had been in Ireland for six or seven years, had a long-term partner and is employed. While she did have previous convictions, the court was being asked to note that those offences dated back to 2018. Ms Brennan also noted that, around the time of the thefts, her client had a miscarriage. She was also offering her €100 cash bail to make good the loss, with the balance to go to the store or to a charity.

Judge John Brennan noted how all her offences went back to 2018 and she was paying compensation. He imposed an eight-month sentence, suspending it for 18 months and binding her to the peace.