TWO women who stole groceries and placed them in trolley bags did so in a ‘devious fashion’, a court heard.

Kathleen Keenan (57) with an address at Mahon, Cork city pleaded guilty at Bandon District Court to the grocery thefts.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that at 11.50am on March 30th last Gda David Kelly received a call from Smith’s SuperValu in Kinsale in relation to Ms Keenan and a co-accused.

‘She had been in the shop and had placed grocery items in a wheelie bag. She then paid for some small items at the till but not the items in the wheelie bag,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

He said the total value of stolen groceries amounted to €52.56. She co-operated with gardaí and the stolen items were recovered in a resaleable condition.

The court heard she has 24 previous convictions including two for theft.

Defence solicitor Éamonn Fleming said his client is a carer for her husband and very much regrets her actions.

‘I’ve explained to her the court’s attitude to shoplifting. She apologises to the shop and she’s currently on social welfare,’ said Mr Fleming.

Judge Joanne Carroll said there was an element of deviousness to the thefts as she had concealed the groceries.

‘You have a council house in Mahon and yet you go into this supermarket and take goods in a very devious fashion. You paid for some goods and hid the others. Is that fair to the shop owner?’ asked the judge.

Ms Keenan said she was sorry for the thefts and that it won’t happen again.

Judge Carroll sentenced her to four months in prison but suspended it for 18 months. ‘Don’t walk into a shop again and walk out without paying for goods,’ warned the judge.

Co-accused Ann Mongans (62) of 52 Cois Abhann, Tralee, Co Kerry pleaded guilty to the theft of groceries valued at €25.36 from the supermarket on the same date.

Sgt Mulcahy said she also hid the groceries in a wheelie bag and that they were later recovered and were in a saleable condition. The court heard she has nine previous convictions, four for theft.

Mr Fleming, who also represented Ms Mongans, said his client is a carer for her husband and son. ‘It was a bad decision and she very much regrets it. She apologises and is embarrassed by what happened,’ said Mr Fleming.

Judge Carroll said: ‘What about the shop owner? He still has to open up and pay his staff and overheads.’ She sentenced her to four months in prison and suspended it for 18 months.