A KINSALE woman who stole bottles of whisky and bourbon from a supermarket did so to pay off her drug debts, a court heard.

Sandra Robinson of St John’s Terrace, World Ends, Kinsale pleaded guilty at Clonakilty District Court to the theft of four bottles of Paddy Whisky and four bottles of Maker’s Mark Bourbon with a total value of €280.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that at 4.30pm on April 21st last Sgt Kevin Heffernan was near the Centra store in the town when he observed the defendant and a co-accused acting suspiciously.

‘They entered the shop a number of times and left with bags.’ Sgt Heffernan saw six bottles of whisky in their bag while she had two more bottles in her large handbag,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

The court heard that all the stolen bottles were recovered and that Ms Robinson has 32 previous convictions including a suspended sentence at Bandon District Court on April 10th last.

Sgt Mulcahy added that she was on early release and on bail at the time of these latest offences.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said his client stole the alcohol to pay off a drug debt as she was a heroin addict. ‘She was free from drugs for a number of years but over the past year has slipped back into it,’ he said.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she would like nothing better for Ms Robinson to get off drugs and get her life in order.

She sentenced her to four months in prison but suspended the last two months for 18 months on condition that she attend for drug treatment addiction.

She also directed Probation Service supervision as part of this suspended sentence.‘You cannot expect not to go back to prison after stealing goods while just released from custody,’ said Judge Carroll.