Ireland Woman pleads guilty to Ballinamore supermarket theft
Helena McTernan (44) of Mohill, Leitrim, admitted stealing about €200 worth of groceries from SuperValu on Main Street, Ballinamore, at about 1.55pm on June 2, 2023. After CCTV footage was circulated on social media and Garda inquiries, she was identified, cautioned in November 2024, and summonsed almost a year later. On June 16 at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court, her application to dismiss the case for delay was refused, she pleaded guilty to theft, and she was remanded for a probation report. The case was adjourned to November 24 for report and sentencing, which is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted18 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Helena McTernan admitted stealing groceries worth €200 from a Super Value store in Ballinamore.
- Where
- The theft took place at SuperValu on Main Street, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim.
- When
- The theft occurred at about 1.55pm on June 2, 2023.
- Investigation
- CCTV showed a woman leaving the supermarket without attempting to pay.
- The CCTV footage was circulated on social media and, after Garda inquiries, the woman was identified.
- McTernan gave a caution statement to Gardaí in November 2024, and a summons was issued almost a year later.
- Charges
- McTernan pleaded guilty to a charge of theft.
- In court
- Her application to dismiss the prosecution for delay, which her solicitor argued, was refused by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on June 16.
- She was remanded for a probation report at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on June 16.
- Sentence
- The judge directed that a Probation Service report be prepared, including on her suitability for community service.
- The case was adjourned to November 24 for report and sentencing.
- Other details
- McTernan is 44 years old and of Mohill, Leitrim.
- McTernan has 106 previous convictions, most of them for theft.
- McTernan met the supermarket manager, accepted responsibility and repaid the store in full.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe woman admitted stealing groceries worth €200 from a Super Value in Ballinamore. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whereThe theft took place at SuperValu on Main Street, Ballinamore. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whenThe theft occurred at about 1.55pm on June 2, 2023. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- investigationCCTV showed a woman leaving the supermarket without attempting to pay. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- investigationThe CCTV footage was circulated on social media and, after Garda inquiries, the woman was identified. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- chargeThe woman pleaded guilty to a charge of theft. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtThe woman was remanded for a probation report at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on June 16. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtHer application to dismiss the prosecution for delay was refused by the judge. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to November 24 for report and sentencing. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- sentenceThe judge directed that a Probation Service report be prepared, including on her suitability for community service. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherThe delay argument concerned the period between her caution statement in November 2024 and the summons issued almost a year later. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherThe woman has 106 previous convictions, most of them for theft. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherThe woman met the supermarket manager, accepted responsibility and repaid the store in full. (leitrimobserver.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Jul2026Leitrim woman guilty of supermarket theft had 106 prior convictions
Reports the guilty plea, the rejected delay application, the probation report direction and the adjournment date for sentencing. Gives the offence date as June 2, 2023 and the court hearing date as June 16.
convicted, Helena McTernan, 44, female, named, irish (judged from name)Helena McTernan