Young mother stole clothes, toys and cosmetics to feed her heroin habit

April O'Brien (22) was stealing to feed her heroin addiction, Dublin District Court heard.

Judge Bryan Smyth ordered O'Brien to enter into a six-month probation bond.

The defendant, of Russell Place in Tallaght, admitted to nine counts of theft.

She admitted stealing clothing, worth €204, from Heatons, The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght on September 26, 2014.

She also pleaded guilty to taking cosmetics, worth €222, from Dunnes Stores in Citywest on January 22, 2015 as well as razors, worth €475, from Lloyds Pharmacy in Tallaght on November 6, 2014.

O'Brien also stole toys worth €351 from Smyths in Tallaght on November 3, 2014, perfume and aftershave, valued at €183, from Debehams in Tallaght on October 25 last and Manchester United jerseys, valued at €547, from JD Sports in Tallaght on October 18 last.

The defendant was also caught with a foil-lined bag on a number of occasions.

Garda Geraldine Ross said most of the property was recovered and O'Brien admitted she took the items intending to sell them and fund her heroin addiction.

Defence solicitor Jeremy Ring said the defendant, a mother of one, had a heroin problem in her teens but came off the drug three years ago, and was clean when she was pregnant and had her son.

Mr Ring said O'Brien has been living in an apartment with her partner and child but when he went into custody she found it difficult to cope and fell back into using heroin again.

He said O'Brien was stealing to feed her drug habit, these incidents took place between September and January and she had an accomplice.

Mr Ring said O'Brien is now stable on methadone, and hoping to stay clean and out of trouble.