'Last chance saloon': Cork woman caught shoplifting for 15th time

A young woman caught shoplifting for the 15th time was given a suspended jail sentence as the judge warned her: “This is last chance saloon.” 

That was the warning Judge Mary Dorgan gave to 20-year-old Margarite Keenan of 24 Mahon Crescent, Mahon, Cork, at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Dineen described the background to her latest offence.

“Two females entered the Tommy Hilfiger store at Mahon Point and selected items from a shelf and proceeded to changing rooms to try items on.

“One female then passed all points of payment and left the shop. Two tops were not paid for or returned from the changing rooms,” Sgt Dineen said.

This theft occurred on February 11 and Margarite Keenan pleaded guilty to her part in the theft.

Sentencing had been adjourned so that the accused could raise compensation for the store.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said Ms Keenan had brought the full amount of compensation to court in the sum of €239 for the store.

Sgt Dineen said the accused had 14 previous theft convictions.

When Judge Dorgan told the accused she was in “last chance saloon”, Mr Collins-Daly said: “She understands that.”