A woman who stole over €3,000 worth of designer goods from Arnotts in Dublin over a six-month period has had her three-month jail term replaced with a fully suspended sentence on appeal.
Nicola Caffery (52) stole several pairs of Chanel sunglasses and other items each worth hundreds of euro from the Dublin shop from October 2024 to April 2025.
Caffery, with an address at Sean McDermott Street, Dublin, had originally pleaded not guilty in the District Court to five counts of theft contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
She was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment, with a further six months consecutive to that which was suspended.
Caffery later lodged an appeal against the severity of her sentence.
Sergeant Stephen Walsh told the court that Caffery was identified after entering Arnotts on Henry Street, Dublin 1 and selecting designer goods.
He said that on December 1, 2024, perfume worth €177 was taken, while items worth €818 were stolen six weeks beforehand on October 19.
Sgt Walsh said that on March 14, 2025, sunglasses worth €480 were taken, while on March 22 another two pairs of designer sunglasses worth €790 were taken.
On April 5, two pairs of Chanel sunglasses worth €960 were taken.
Sergeant Walsh said that none of the items were recovered.
Defence counsel for Caffery, Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL, said that the valuation in the District Court was around €3,000 for these offences.
She said her client contested the charges in the District Court but that she no longer contests them and came before the appeals court with a guilty plea.
Ms Ní Chathasaigh asked that the immediate sentence of custody be set aside and replaced with a fully suspended sentence.
She asked the judge to consider her client’s guilty plea, cooperation and subsequent good behaviour. She said that her client had made progress in recovery and in undertaking treatment.
Counsel said that her client had an immediate responsibility in caring for her family members and that she was willing to abide by any conditions of the court.
Judge Christopher Callan said that this case involved significant amounts of money lost by Arnotts and that the offences were not a victimless crime.
He said it was a serious matter but that the court now has the benefit of Caffery’s reaction to receiving a suspended sentence and noted that she is complying with the conditions.
The judge decided to suspend the three-month sentence for a period of two years on the condition that Caffery maintains contact with the probation services and continues her treatment.
He also imposed the conditions that she complete a course of education and must stay away from Arnotts, with €1,000 in compensation to be paid.