Woman pleads guilty to spate of Athlone thefts

A District Court judge has accepted jurisdiction in the case of a woman who has pleaded guilty to getting into another woman’s car and stealing her phone in recent weeks.

Jessica Gaffey (43), with addresses at Sarsfield Square, Athlone, and Brawney Square, Athlone, appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin on Wednesday,, September 9, after initially being brought before Mullingar District Court a week earlier.

Ms Gaffey indicated a guilty plea to all charges against her regarding a crime spree on dates between August 29 and September 1, 2026.

She is charged with getting into a car belonging to another woman at Castlemaine Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath on August 29, and with stealing the woman’s phone, which was valued at €300.

A further charge relates to the following day at Dunnes Stores, Irishtown, Athlone, where three items of clothing valued at almost €60 were stolen.

Another charge related to Tuesday, September 1, when Ms Gaffey is accused of stealing €200 worth of groceries from Centra, Castlemaine Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Ms Gaffey was arrested on September 3 at The Bawn, Church Street, Athlone, and replied “guilty” to all charges when cautioned.

Judge Cronin further remanded Ms Gaffey in custody to September 23, for facts, mitigation and a victim impact statement from the owner of the mobile phone.

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