Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8539Theft · Co. Donegal

Bench warrant issued for Bundoran woman charged with theft

Anne Ward, a 62-year-old woman from Bundoran, is charged with two alleged theft offences under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The first alleged theft was on August 5, 2024, at Lidl in Bundoran, and the second on April 13, 2026, at Centra on Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon. Ward failed to appear at Ballyshannon District Court, and Garda Sergeant Oliver Devaney applied for a bench warrant before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham. The latest development, reported on July 20, 2026, is that a bench warrant has been issued against her.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Anne Ward, 62, of Bundoran, is named as the suspect in two alleged theft offences.
  • The first alleged theft involved groceries worth €46.53, with the article also listing vodka among the items.
  • The second alleged theft involved goods worth €41.85.
When
  • The first alleged theft took place on August 5, 2024.
  • The second alleged theft took place on April 13, 2026.
Where
  • The first alleged theft was at Lidl in Bundoran, County Donegal.
  • The second alleged theft was at Centra on Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon.
Charges
Ward faces two alleged offences under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
In court
  • Ward failed to be present at Ballyshannon District Court on the two theft charges.
  • Garda Sergeant Oliver Devaney applied for a bench warrant before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham, and a bench warrant was reported as issued on July 20, 2026.
  • Judge Cunningham said Ward was specifically required to appear.
Other details
Judge Cunningham said the requirement to appear pre-dated industrial action by criminal defence solicitors.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatIt was alleged that on August 5, 2024, at Lidl in Bundoran, she stole groceries worth €46.53. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatIt was alleged that on April 13, 2026, at Centra on Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon, she stole €41.85. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeWard faces two alleged offences under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtA bench warrant was issued against a Bundoran resident who failed to be present at Ballyshannon District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGarda Sergeant Oliver Devaney applied for the bench warrant before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Cunningham said Ward was specifically required to appear, and that this pre-dated the industrial action by criminal defence solicitors. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jul2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Judge issues bench warrant on Bundoran resident charged with theft

    Reports a bench warrant issued after Anne Ward failed to appear at Ballyshannon District Court on two theft charges, with the alleged dates and locations of both thefts.

    accused, Anne Ward, 62, female, named, irish (judged from name)Anne Ward