A WOMAN who walked out of Dunnes Stores with a trolley of groceries without paying for them has previous convictions for similar offences, a court recently heard.

Gwen Parr (51) Coornahahill,  Inchigeelagh, Macroom pleaded guilty at Macroom District Court to the groceries theft at Dunnes Stores in Macroom on September 4th.

Sgt Trish O’Sullivan told the court that at 10.15am on that date the accused entered Dunnes Stores in Macroom, put a number of groceries in her trolley and left without paying.

The court heard that the total cost of the groceries came to €169.11 which were not recovered and she was identified through the store’s CCTV cameras.

Judge John King was told that she has eight previous convictions which are all theft related and received a six-month suspended sentence for a theft offence in 2021.

Defence solicitor Patrick Goold said his client, who is a full-time carer for her eight-year-old autistic son, had brought compensation into court to repay the store.

He said she suffered a relapse in depression which was bought on by the difficulties in dealing with her son.

He added that her son is now taking medications and his severe symptoms have quietened down which has led to an improvement in their day-to-day life.

Judge King directed the preparation of a probation report and remanded her on continuing bail to appear in court again on February 4th 2026 for the finalisation of the case.