Ireland Woman charged with thefts from Letterkenny shops using children
Katelyn Reilly, a 31-year-old woman, is accused of theft from shops in Letterkenny, County Donegal, in which children were used to remove goods. She is accused of taking an Under Armour backpack and Easter egg gifts worth €80 from Lidl on Pearse Road on 21 March 2023, and clothing worth €100 from Dunnes Stores at Letterkenny Retail Park on 11 May 2024. A court report published on 23 September 2024 said she appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with thefts from Lidl and Dealz, and that CCTV showed children being used to take goods out of the shops. The judge adjourned the case to 27 January 2025 for a probation report, which is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Reilly is accused of stealing an Under Armour backpack and Easter egg gifts worth €80 from Lidl on Pearse Road in Letterkenny.
- Where
- The Lidl theft is alleged to have happened at Lidl on Pearse Road, Letterkenny.
- When
- The Lidl theft is alleged to have happened on 21 March 2023.
- In court
- Reilly appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with stealing goods from Lidl and Dealz shops in the town.
- The judge adjourned the case to 27 January 2025 for a probation report.
- Investigation
- Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that CCTV showed Reilly getting a child to conceal items in a pram, which the minor then pushed out of the shop.
- CCTV showed Reilly filling a bag at Dunnes Stores and giving it to a child to carry out of the shop.
- Charges
- Reilly is also charged with stealing assorted clothing valued at €100 from Dunnes Stores at Letterkenny Retail Park on 11 May 2024.
- Other details
- The judge said the case was aggravated by the use of children and said she was appalled.
- Reilly, of Canal Road, Letterkenny, has no previous convictions.
- The minors involved were dealt with by the juvenile liaison scheme.
- Reilly's solicitor said she had mental health issues at the time and had pleaded at the first opportunity.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatReilly is accused of stealing an Under Armour backpack and easter egg gifts worth €80 from Lidl on Pearse Road. (donegallive.ie)
- whereReilly appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with stealing goods from Lidl and Dealz shops in the town. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe Lidl theft is alleged to have happened on 21 March 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage showed Reilly getting a child to conceal items in a pram, which the minor then pushed out of the shop. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationOn the Dunnes Stores occasion, CCTV showed Reilly filling a bag and giving it to a child to carry out of the shop. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeReilly was also charged with stealing assorted clothing valued at €100 from Dunnes Stores at Letterkenny Retail Park on May 11, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case to January 27, 2025 for a probation report. (donegallive.ie)
- otherReilly, of Canal Road, Letterkenny, has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe minors involved were dealt with by the juvenile liaison scheme. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHer solicitor said she had mental health issues at the time and had pleaded at the first opportunity. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe judge said the case was aggravated by the use of children and said she was appalled. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Sep2024Judge 'appalled' at woman who used children to commit thefts from Letterkenny shops
Court report on Katelyn Reilly's appearance at Letterkenny District Court. Adds the charges (Lidl theft on 21 March 2023 and Dunnes Stores theft on 11 May 2024), the use of children, the solicitor's and judge's comments, and the adjournment to January 27, 2025.
accused, Katelyn Reilly, 31, female, named, irish (judged from name)Katelyn Reilly