Computer stolen to fund drug addiction
Friday November 07 2008
A FORMER accounts assistant stole a laptop from a supermarket to fund a drug addiction she developed while still in secondary school, a court heard.
Roisin Glennon (25) received €150 for the Acer laptop, worth €499, and immediately spent the money on heroin, Tallaght Court heard.
The defendant pleaded guilty to stealing the laptop from Tesco, Rathfarnham in August.
The court heard that Glennon went into the supermarket, put the laptop in a shopping trolley and walked out with it.
She was not caught at the time but gardai viewed CCTV footage in the shop and on September 30 they searched Glennon's home at Inis Thiar, Oldbawn.
The property was not recovered but Glennon admitted the theft.
Defence lawyer Michael Hennessy said Glennon has battled a heroin addiction since she was 17 years old.
therapy
He said Glennon is "an intelligent woman" who left school after completing her Leaving Certificate at 18. She went on to college, but dropped out because of her drug problem. Glennon last worked as an accounts assistant.
Mr Hennessy said Glennon is stabilised on methadone, and is receiving family therapy due to her parents separation a number of years ago. Mr Hennessy said Glennon is providing clean urine samples to her GP which she was also willing to show the court.
Glennon, who has no previous convictions, had €500 compensation for Tesco.
Judge James McDonnell ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the matter to next February, so as to monitor her progress.
- Eimear Cotter
