Saturday 31 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. 17828Theft · Co. Longford

Woman jailed for thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone

Sharon Clarke (41) was charged with a series of thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone between October 2022 and June 2023, along with public intoxication and unlawful possession of methadone and diamorphine. She pleaded guilty to all charges before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court, where she was also in custody on matters pending before Athlone court. In March 2024 she was sentenced to one year in prison, with a five-month term suspended for two years to encourage her to engage with addiction services on release.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Sharon Clarke (41) pleaded guilty to a series of thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone.
Where
The thefts were from businesses in Longford and Athlone, including Boots, Coffee House, SuperValu, Lloyds Pharmacy and Wards Pharmacy.
When
The offences were alleged to have been committed between October 2022 and June 2023.
Cause
Her solicitor said an underlying issue behind her offending was her drug dependence.
Charges
  • She was charged with theft of cosmetics valued at €450 from Boots in Longford on October 23, 2022.
  • She was charged with stealing €20 cash from Coffee House on March 4, 2023.
  • She was charged with public intoxication at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone on May 28, 2023.
  • She was charged with theft of cosmetics from Lloyds Pharmacy on June 1, 2 and 12, 2023, from Wards Pharmacy on June 10, 2023, and of groceries worth €34.80 from SuperValu in Longford on June 30, 2023.
  • She was charged with stealing property worth €770 at a Longford address on June 13, 2023.
  • She was charged with unlawful possession of methadone and diamorphine at Longford Garda Station on June 16, 2023.
In court
She pleaded guilty to all charges before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court and was in custody on matters pending before Athlone court.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed three consecutive prison sentences of six, six and five months.
  • The five-month term was suspended for two years to encourage her to engage with addiction services on release, and she was sentenced to one year in prison in March 2024.
Other details
The defendant had 45 previous convictions, some committed while on bail.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to a series of thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeHer solicitor said an underlying issue behind her offending was her drug dependence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with public intoxication at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone on May 28, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with theft of cosmetics valued at €450 from Boots in Longford on October 23, 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with theft of groceries worth €34.80 from SuperValu in Longford on June 30, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with stealing property worth €770 at a Longford address on June 13, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with stealing €20 cash at Coffee House on March 4, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with stealing cosmetics from Lloyds Pharmacy on June 1 and 2, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with stealing cosmetics valued at €60 from Wards Pharmacy on June 10. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with stealing cosmetics valued at €474 from Lloyds Pharmacy on June 12. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with unlawful possession of methadone and diamorphine at Longford Garda Station on June 16. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHer solicitor said she had pleaded guilty to all the charges. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtShe was in custody on matters pending before Athlone court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed three consecutive prison sentences of six, six and five months. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe five-month term was suspended for two years to encourage her to engage with addiction services on release. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 45 previous convictions, some committed while on bail. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Mar2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Woman jailed for series of thefts from businesses in Longford and Athlone

    Reports the sentencing of Sharon Clarke at Longford District Court, including the list of charges, her 45 previous convictions, and the suspended custodial term.

    convicted, Sharon Clarke, 41, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sharon Clarke