Pamela Maher, aged 42, with an address in Bruff, County Limerick, appeared before Judge Patricia Harney following her arrest for theft offences to make a bail application. She went into the custody of Limerick Prison on Wednesday, September 2.
Representing the defendant, Solicitor Tom Kiely told the judge that his client struggles with addiction and was caring for her terminally ill father, who she lives with.
Ms Maher is on a monthly injection as part of her methadone treatment which serves as a substitute for her heroin addiction.
Mr Kiely put to the court that the Limerick woman had a “serious addiction in the past” but is staying on top of things as of late.
Prosecuting Sergeant Jimmy Dillane informed Judge Harney that the accused is charged with stealing a small amount of cash from St Saviours Church on Dominic Street. She is alleged to have taken €10, which has since been recovered.
Judge Patricia Harney told the woman’s solicitor that the 42-year-old had been “burying her head in the sand” and avoiding matters for some time.
Judge Harney further stated that the accused “can’t be rewarded” for this behaviour and that she “does not believe” what Mr Kiely was putting forward as an explanation for his client not showing up for court.
Taking to the stand, Pamela Maher told the judge that since her arrest she has been informed her father has just weeks to live and that he is “the only family member I have left.”
“I give you my word,” Ms Maher told Judge Harney.
Taking the evidence into consideration, the judge told the woman that while she has sympathy for her dying father, she has “very little” sympathy for the accused.
Judge Harney was not satisfied with Ms Maher’s account, refused her bail application and remanded her back in the custody of Limerick Prison.
She told the defendant: “The end of the road has come.”
Pamela Maher will next appear at Limerick District Court on September 8 in relation to all matters that are before the courts.