Friday 30 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. 15693Theft · Co. Donegal · 11 Feb 2024

Kathleen McDonagh pleads guilty to honey theft from Ballybofey SuperValu

Kathleen McDonagh, a 58-year-old woman, was charged with stealing eight jars of Manuka honey worth €208 from SuperValu in Ballybofey, County Donegal, on 11 February 2024. Gardaí called to her home, where she handed over six of the jars, and she made full admissions when apprehended. She was also charged with theft of soft drink bottles worth a combined €40 from Dealz. In October 2024 she pleaded guilty to the honey theft at Letterkenny District Court, and Judge Cunningham adjourned the case to 27 January 2025 for a probation and welfare report, with no sentence yet reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Kathleen McDonagh, a 58-year-old woman, was charged with stealing eight jars of Manuka honey worth €208.
Where
The honey was taken from SuperValu in Ballybofey, County Donegal.
When
The theft occurred on 11 February 2024.
Investigation
  • Gardaí called to her home, and she handed over six of the jars.
  • McDonagh made full admissions when apprehended by gardaí.
Charges
She was also charged with theft of soft drink bottles worth a combined €40 from Dealz.
In court
  • She pleaded guilty to the honey theft at Letterkenny District Court, as reported in October 2024.
  • Judge Cunningham adjourned the case to 27 January 2025 and directed a probation and welfare report.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported; the case is adjourned.
Other details
  • She is a mother of 11, according to the court report.
  • She has 21 previous convictions.
  • Her solicitor said she has had mental health issues and considered the honey to be therapeutic.
  • The court was told she had 'cough issues' and was seeking therapy.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe honey was stolen from SuperValu in Ballybofey. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe theft occurred on 11 February 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí called to her home and she handed over six of the jars. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationMcDonagh made full admissions when apprehended by gardaí. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcDonagh was charged with stealing eight jars of Manuka honey worth €208. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcDonagh was also charged with theft of soft drink bottles worth a combined €40 from Dealz. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcDonagh pleaded guilty to the theft at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Cunningham adjourned the case to 27 January 2025 and directed a probation and welfare report. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh has 21 previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she has had mental health issues. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she considered the honey to be therapeutic. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Oct2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Woman stole over €200 of honey from Ballybofey shop had 'cough issues', court told

    First report of this case: the guilty plea at Letterkenny District Court, the separate Dealz soft drink theft charge, and the adjournment to 27 January 2025 for a probation and welfare report.

    convicted, Kathleen McDonagh, 58, female, named, irish (judged from name)Kathleen McDonagh