A woman creeper burglar who participated in a series of serious criminal offences in Donegal has been given a last chance after her lawyer told a judge she was a changed person.
Karen McDonald 27, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
The court heard how she had four previous convictions here in the Republic of Ireland for driving offences, but had a staggering 39 offences in Northern Ireland most of which were for theft and criminal damage.
The court heard how Mrs McDonald played an active role in a string of burglaries that were carried out in the Raphoe and Carrigans areas during May 2010.
Following Gardai investigations in Buncrana a search warrant was obtained and a caravan was seized on the Isle of Doagh which Mrs McDonald and her partner Eddie Crerand had been renting out.
In the caravan they discovered property of the people who were robbed in the Carrigans and Raphoe areas, items such as mobile phones, sim cards, ipods and a Playstaion were among some of the items recovered along with a children’s quad bike and a motorbike which was taken from the garage of burglary victim Hugh Devine.
The court also heard that a Blue Nissan jeep was stolen from one of the victim’s homes, but was found later on that day burnt out.
A baby seat which had been in the jeep was also in the caravan.
The court heard how Mrs. McDonald had been involved in a physically abusive relationship with Eddie Crerand whom she met when she was in care at 14 years of age. She also has two children with Crerand.
It was also acknowledged that she was easily led and was an extremely vulnerable young girl when she lived with Crerand.
Her barrister Peter Nolan told the court: ”Mr Crerand was very violent towards Ms McDonald and he (Crerand) orchestrated these horrible crimes against these innocent individuals, and while M. McDonald played her part she was easily led.
“After her association with Mr Crerand ended she has not been in trouble in since. She has recently married and had a little girl a couple of months ago, she is very happy with her new husband and has put her past behind her.”
Garda Sergeant Devanney also told the court: ”I have seen a huge change in her over the past two years, she has got her life back on track and is doing well for herself.
“I’m of the firm belief that she was led into these crimes with Mr.Crerand out of fear, she has not been before the guards since her association with Crerand ended and she really is a different person. I’ve seen a huge change in her.”
The court was also told of her difficult upbringing in which she was placed into care at a young age and adopted.
However when she was just 11 her adopted mother died from cancer and her adopted father then became an alcoholic and she was then put back into care.
Judge O’Hagan when sentencing said: ”I’m going to give you another chance, you were involved in a host of very serious crimes, and my sympathy goes to the individuals whom you robbed and caused damage to. That cannot be overlooked and you will be punished for this.
“However it has been outlined here today, that you have undergone a huge change and I know you’ve just recently become a mother again and have got married, I accept you were easily led and were extremely vulnerable person when you were with Mr. Crerand and lived in fear of him and I believe you still do.
“I can’t offer you protection from when Mr.Crerand when he is released from prison but I’m sure you can speak to the gardai regarding your concerns.”
McDonald had pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and possession of stolen property and sentenced her to two years imprisonment for each offence, suspending the sentences for two years.
Judge O’Hagan told her: ”I’ll make it very simple for you, I’m giving you a second chance but if you re-offend again you will be sent to jail.”
Eddie Crerand, originally from Ballybofey, is an habitual creeper burglar and has 275 convictions. He is due to be released from his latest prison sentence later this year.
In the escapade involving McDonald and another man, the gang went on a crime spree – stealing a car, raiding homes in Donegal Town and then driving back to Clonmany to carry out more raids.