NO CONVICTION | 

Shoplifter says she is ‘single mum’ who stole from Penneys to support her kids

Factory worker (34) had been sending money to her children in Moldova

Eimear Cotter

Today at 08:45

A shoplifter told gardaí after she was charged that she was a single mother of two and was pushed to do it due to her financial circumstances, a court heard.

Olga Ghinita (34) had lived and worked in Ireland for six years but was trying to support her two children who were at home in Moldova, her lawyer said.

Judge David McHugh struck out the charges, leaving Ghinita without a conviction, telling her he did not want to see her before the court again.

The defendant, with an address at The Boulevard, Bishop’s Orchard, Tyrrelstown, admitted theft on February 9, 2024.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court that gardaí were called to Dunnes Stores in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre following a report that security staff had stopped a shoplifter.

Sgt Callaghan said Ghinita failed to pay for items valued at €46.

The defendant was searched by the gardaí and was found with items worth €115, which had been stolen from Penneys earlier that day.

Sgt Callaghan said that when charged, Ghinita told gardaí, “I am sorry for what happened” and “I’m a single mother and I was pushed to do it”.

The court heard the ­defendant had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Kelly Breen said the goods were all recovered in a resalable condition.

Ms Breen said Ghinita was originally from Moldova and had lived in Ireland for six years. She worked in a factory, the court heard.

The defendant had two ­children who lived in Moldova and Ghinita was sending money back to them, Ms Breen said, asking the judge to be as lenient as possible.