Woman who helped child steal a drill from Woodies was ‘in a relationship with controlling older man’

Elysia Delaney (22) was ordered by Judge Dermot Dempsey to donate €100 to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Appeal and he left her without a conviction.

The defendant, with an address at Dorset Street, Dublin 1, admitted stealing a Black & Decker drill, worth €109, from Woodies, Seatown Road in Swords on August 14, 2018.

Garda Ciaran McGroder told Swords District Court that Delaney entered the store with her co-accused and a young child. The child picked up the drill, and it was put into a carrier bag.

Gda McGroder said the trio left the store and got into a vehicle parked outside and left the area. The property was not recovered, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Annette Kealy said this theft took place nearly four years ago.

At the time, Delaney was in a relationship with an older man, who was very controlling. She moved to England with him, but the pair had since separated.

Ms Kealy said Delaney was back living in Ireland, was in a new relationship and had a five-month old baby.

The lawyer said Delaney, a part-time waitress, was very sorry for having been involved in the theft.

The child’s mother had died and the defendant took responsibility for her, even though she was only 18 herself at the time, Ms Kealy added.