Bedroom CCTV installed by 82-year-old woman's family catches home-help thief

Gordon Deegan

CCTV installed by the family of a then 82-year-old Co Clare woman in her bedroom detected a home help stealing €100 from the woman’s wallet, a court has heard.

At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, solicitor for Caoimhe Kelly (27), Daragh Hassett acknowledged that his client’s theft offence was “a nasty thing to do and a breach of trust”.

Kelly of Church Fields, Clonlara, Co Clare pleaded guilty to the €100 theft from Mary Foote at her home at Lower Ardnatagle, O’Brien’s Bridge in south east Clare on October 7th 2021.

In evidence, Garda Aine Troy told the court that she received a report from Mary Foote - now deceased - that a sum of money had been stolen from her home.

Garda Troy said that her family "had become suspicious and placed cameras in her bedroom”.

Garda Troy said that a young girl, Caoimhe Kelly used to call and on October 7th 2021, Ms Kelly requested to use Ms Foote’s bathroom and she then entered her bedroom and went through her handbag and was seen taking the money from her handbag.

"Gardaí arrived and arrested Ms Kelly after viewing the CCTV which was very clear that she had taken the money - a sum of €100 on this occasion,” Garda Troy said.

Ms Kelly has no previous convictions.

The court was told that Ms Kelly is currently on social welfare and Judge Alec Gabbett was told that Ms Kelly “was helping out with this lady” when he asked what was her occupation at the time.

Mr Hassett said that Ms Kelly "is so sorry over what happened. It was a nasty crime”.

Mr Hassett said that Ms Kelly "pleaded guilty on the first available day” and "had fallen on very hard times”.

He said: "There is no excuse - she had built up debts including significant bills at home. There was an opportunity and she succumbed to temptation."

Judge Gabbett said: "What trouble me is that she was in a care position."

Mr Hasset said: "It is an area she would like to stay in and I would ask that you leave her without a conviction.

"It is an area she is skilled in and there is a need for the likes of her. She shouldn't have done this.”

However, Judge Gabbett convicted the woman of theft and imposed a fine of €200.

Mr Hassett asked that Judge Gabbett fix recognisance in the event of an appeal against his order to the circuit court.