Sunday 1 November 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. 21844Theft (shoplifting) · Co. Longford · 10 Apr 2021

Nora McDonagh jailed for six months for shoplifting at Dunnes Stores, Longford

Nora McDonagh, 30, of Drogheda, Co Louth, was found guilty of shoplifting €400 worth of clothing from Dunnes Stores, Dublin Road, Longford, on 10 April 2021, and sentenced to six months in prison at Longford District Court. She was acquitted of a similar theft at O'Hanlon's Pharmacy, Ballymahon, on the same day.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Mar
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNora McDonagh was found guilty of shoplifting from Dunnes Stores, Dublin Road, Longford on 10 April 2021. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatShe was acquitted of a similar theft at O'Hanlon's Pharmacy, Main Street, Ballymahon on the same date. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe net value of items taken from Dunnes Stores was €400. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatNadine Largey, assistant store manager, witnessed up to half a dozen women enter the premises between 6 and 7pm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatTwo of the group were spotted entering a section of the store cordoned off due to Covid-19. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatFive of the group left the store and jumped into a blue hatchback with Ms McDonagh following five or ten minutes later. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe accused was seen leaving with two jackets tied around her waist. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatMs McDonagh denied the charge, saying she did not steal anything from the shop. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatShe said she had the jacket underneath a Nike jacket and wrapped it around her waist as she felt warm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatShe was found not guilty of stealing over €600 worth of cosmetics and perfumes from O'Hanlon's Pharmacy, Ballymahon. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe stolen items were €400 worth of clothing. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe assistant store manager witnessed up to half a dozen women enter the premises between 6 and 7pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatTwo of the group entered a section of the store cordoned off due to Covid-19. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatFive of the group left and jumped into a blue hatchback, with McDonagh following five or ten minutes later. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatShe was seen leaving with two jackets tied around her waist. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatA stock inspection the following day put the net value of items taken at €400. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe theft took place at Dunnes Stores, Dublin Road, Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe theft occurred on 10 April 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Anthony Scanlon asked Sgt Vincent Healy if he could single out anyone on CCTV footage, which led to Ms McDonagh's identification. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGarda Scanlon travelled to Dundalk two weeks later to arrest Ms McDonagh. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGarda Scanlon asked Sgt Vincent Healy to identify anyone on CCTV footage, which led to McDonagh's identification. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Scanlon travelled to Dundalk two weeks later to arrest McDonagh. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtSolicitor John Quinn sought a direction for the case to be dismissed, arguing there was no prima facie evidence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtShe was acquitted of stealing over €600 worth of cosmetics and perfumes from O'Hanlon's Pharmacy, Main Street, Ballymahon, on the same day. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtShe pleaded guilty to both incidents at a special sitting of Longford District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Deane sentenced Ms McDonagh to six months in prison. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceShe was sentenced to six months in prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMs McDonagh had 110 previous convictions, 46 of which were for theft. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe latest of those convictions had been recorded at Dundalk District Court less than a week before the Longford court sitting. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh had 110 previous convictions, 46 of which were for theft. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherShe is appealing the sentence. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Mar2023
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Serial thief found guilty of 111th conviction tells judge in the Midlands: 'Your Honour, I did not steal anything from that shop'

    Reports the conviction and sentencing of a serial thief for shoplifting, including her denial of the charge on the witness stand, the judge's comments, and her 110 previous convictions.

    convicted, Nora McDonagh, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nora McDonagh
  2. 7 Mar2023
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Serial thief found guilty of 111th conviction tells Longford Judge: 'Your Honour, I did not steal anything from that shop'

    Provides detailed court proceedings including witness testimony from assistant store manager Nadine Largey and Garda Anthony Scanlon, defence argument by solicitor John Quinn, Ms McDonagh's own testimony denying the charge, and Judge Vincent Deane's reasoning for the guilty verdict and six-month sentence.

    convicted, Nora McDonagh, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nora McDonagh