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. 10461Theft · Co. Longford

Leitrim woman sentenced to community service for thefts from Longford pharmacy

Helen McTernan, a woman from Mohill, County Leitrim, stole cosmetics from Ward's Pharmacy on Ballymahon Street, Longford, on March 22 of the previous year (2025) and on April 5, 2025, with the two items valued at €188 and €158. She pleaded guilty to two thefts at Longford District Court. On March 10, 2026, Judge Bernadette Owens sentenced her to 150 hours of community service in place of four months in prison, and a report of the sentence was published on March 16, 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Helen McTernan pleaded guilty to two thefts at Longford District Court.
  • She stole cosmetics valued at more than €300 from a pharmacy.
Where
The thefts were from Ward's Pharmacy on Ballymahon Street, Longford.
When
  • One theft was on March 22 of the previous year, with items valued at €188.
  • The second theft was on April 5, 2025, with items valued at €158.
Charges
She pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.
In court
Judge Bernadette Owens heard that the defendant was suitable for community service.
Sentence
On March 10, 2026, she was sentenced to 150 hours of community service in place of four months in prison.
Other details
  • She had 106 previous convictions, 71 of them for theft.
  • The items from the second theft were recovered and were resaleable.
  • She had previously handed over €188 in compensation.
  • The case was reported by leitrimobserver.ie on March 16, 2026.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHelen McTernan pleaded guilty to two thefts at Longford District Court. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe cosmetics stolen were valued at more than €300. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whereThe thefts were from Ward's Pharmacy on Ballymahon Street, Longford. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whenOne theft was on March 22 of the previous year. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whenThe second theft was on April 5, 2025. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whenThe sentence was handed down at Longford District Court on March 10. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens heard that the defendant was suitable for community service. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceShe was sentenced to 150 hours of community service in place of four months in prison. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 106 previous convictions, 71 of them for theft. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe second batch of items was recovered and was resaleable. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherShe had previously handed over €188 in compensation. (leitrimobserver.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Mar2026
    Sentencedleitrimobserver.ie, first report
    Court hears Leitrim woman with 106 convictions stole €300 of make-up

    Reports the sentencing of Helen McTernan on 10 March 2026 for two thefts from Ward's Pharmacy, Ballymahon Street, Longford, including her previous convictions and compensation paid.

    convicted, Helen McTernan, female, named, irish (judged from name)Helen McTernan