A homeless husband and wife staged a 'Bonnie & Clyde' style string of thefts around the Naas area, a court heard.
Patrick McDonagh (21) and Marie McDonagh (20), who currently live in a B&B, were charged at Naas District Court with shoplifting goods at stores such as Heatons, Boots and Dealz.
Gardai said that on January 29, the couple were identified on CCTV after a theft at Heatons in Globe Retail Park.
The previous month, Marie McDonagh took gift sets and Gillette razors worth more than €200 from Boots on the Dublin Road.
The court also heard that two shopping baskets of goods worth €100 were taken from Dealz without paying.
Also in January, a Black and Decker drill worth €84.99 was taken from Woodies.
At Born Clothing in Monread Shopping Centre, two shirts worth €49.99 and jeans worth €75 were taken.
The court heard that Patrick McDonagh made full admissions to his offences.
Judge John Cheatle heard that the couple was currently homeless and living in a B&B in Newbridge.
Defence lawyers said Patrick was in difficult circumstances and was trying to make himself some money with the thefts.
He was a keen boxer and helps train young boxers at a local club in Clane.
Judge Cheatle noted that the couple had a previously good record and that most of the goods were recovered.
Patrick had previous convictions for traffic offences while Marie had not been in court before.
The judge heard the couple had lived in a trailer for a time but it had burned down.
The court heard Patrick was genuinely sorry for the offences and offered to save money each week to pay a contribution to charity.
Judge Cheatle ordered the couple to pay 50 each and he referred them to the Probation and Welfare Services and adjourned the case.
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