Athlone woman ‘recruited’ daughter in spate of attempted thefts

The attempted theft at ASDA on September 24, 2022, was the fourth incident since May 23, 2022.

On May 23 a theft occurred at Tesco in Newry where Anne Marie Quilligan (34) of Blackberry Lane, Athlone was seen on CCTV with a trolley containing expensive items to the value of £500. She did not attempt to pay as she left the store.

The following day, May 24, at the same Tesco Quilligan attempted to steal £613.90 of items however a security guard became suspicious of the defendant who left her daughter behind while she fled to a waiting car.

On the same day, Quilligan attempted to steal from Tesco in Banbridge to the value of £414 but also abandoned the trolley and left the store.

Then on September 24, Quilligan was with her daughter and a trolley loaded with £451.29 worth of goods.

She was observed on CCTV trying to steal the items.

When interviewed by police about the incident Quilligan did not comment.

Steffan Rafferty, barrister for Quilligan told the court how a short time spent in custody before being released on bail was an “eye-opener” for Quilligan.

He said Quilligan, to her credit, had fully engaged with the process and had been back on three separate occasions to deal with the matter head-on.

Mr. Rafferty explained that Quilligan had lodged £500 with her solicitor for compensation and entered an early guilty plea which District Judge Steven Keown said was keeping her out of jail.

Mr. Rafferty added it was not impressive behaviour from his client and accepted the element of pre-meditation and recruitment of her daughter were aggravating factors the court will take little pleasure from.

For the three counts of attempted theft and one count of theft, Quilligan was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Tesco, Newry.

Judge Keown warned her that if she commit further thefts or came before him she would be looking at a minimum of 12 months in jail.