Woman who stole charity boxes in Carlow town remanded in custody
Carlow Courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A CARLOW woman who pleaded guilty to multiple theft offences, including stealing several charity boxes, has been remanded in custody for a probation report.
Tracy Doogue appeared via video link at Carlow District Court before Judge Geraldine Carthy, where her solicitor Joe Farrell handed in a charge sheet noting there were “quite a number” of offences. The 23-year-old, who lives at 15 Green Rd, Carlow town, entered guilty pleas to all counts.
The court heard facts relating to nine separate incidents between June 2025 and January 2026, involving thefts from shops and service stations across Co Carlow.
On 30 March 2025 at 8.30am, Ms Doogue entered a shop in Carlow town and took goods from the chilled section, placing them in a canvas lined bag. She was stopped by staff as she left and the goods were retrieved in resaleable condition. Garda Kenny identified her from CCTV footage.
In another incident, Garda Nolan identified Ms Doogue from CCTV footage showing the theft of clothing and cosmetics valued at €130.29 from a commercial premises in Carlow town. She was seen placing items in a pink and purple bag and leaving without paying. She was stopped by security outside the shop, handed over the goods willingly and immediately ran from the shop.
On 7 January 2026 at 10am at Munnelly’s service station, the defendant filled an empty bag with €29.80 worth of goods. She paid for sausage rolls and lighters but left without paying for the items in the bag. Garda Walsh identified Ms Doogue from CCTV. No items were recovered.
The court heard that on 19 July 2025 at Daybreak convenience store at Oakfield, Carlow town, Ms Doogue took a charity box containing €350 and left the shop. Nothing was recovered.
On 29 August 2025 at a service station in Muinebheag, she entered the shop, “diverted the staff’s attention away from the counter area”, according to Garda O’Connor, and detached a charity donation box from the area, placing it in her handbag.
On 15 December 2025 at 8.18am at Aldi in Bagenalstown, Ms Doogue took food items valued at €26 and passed all points of payment. The court heard that she had previously been barred from this shop and knew she was not permitted to enter, which “was repeatedly communicated to her”.
Garda Murphy gave evidence that on 14 July 2025 on Castlecomer Road, Carlow, Ms Doogue went into a hair salon and made attempts to place a charity box in her bag. After a few attempts, she managed to get it into her backpack and left. It was of unknown value.
On 30 June 2025 at Eurogiant, Fairgreen shopping centre, Carlow town, she took €4 worth of products and a charity box from the side of the till to an unknown value.
On 6 July 2025 at 8.34pm, a theft at Aldi in Graiguecullen was reported to the value of €19.04 and nothing was recovered. Garda Mortell identified Ms Doogue from CCTV.
Several other offences were struck out on the day.
The court heard there was one previous conviction from a 2022 offence for possession under the .
Mr Farrell addressed the court: “You’ll see Ms Doogue seems to be in somewhat better physical shape than last week.”
He noted that she had stolen “a lot of charity boxes” but asked the court to give her credit for “lack of previous and none for theft”, adding that “the court is well aware as to why they were committed”.
“She was not thinking straight. She was trying to secure money to get her hands on some intoxicants,” said Mr Farrell, adding that his client was “very embarrassed because of the charity boxes, in particular”.
“She turned to me when she was refused bail and asked, ‘Am I going into custody?’ She had never been in custody before.”
Judge Carthy noted that Ms Doogue had been refused bail the previous week, as there was an objection, given that the defendant had 12 previous bench warrants.
“There are quite a number of matters, nine of which I’ve heard facts on and three which were withdrawn,” said the judge.
A probation report was ordered and the accused was remanded in custody until the report is due. “I need to be fair to her – I need to know all her details,” the judge said.
Ms Doogue, via video link, said: “I want to thank you, judge. I apologise for everything.”
Hoping to finalise matters on 12 February, Judge Carthy said to Ms Doogue: “See you then. Take care.”
