A woman was recently handed a suspended sentence for shoplifting in Waterford.
Andrea Kalejova (38) of 45 The Glen, Waterford, appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at a sitting of Waterford District Court in June.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
Sergeant Michael Hickey told the court that on 23 November 2025, Gardaí received a report of a theft at Aldi, City Square Shopping Centre, Waterford. A woman, identified as the accused, took groceries, including chicken, to the value of €20. She was identified from CCTV footage and the items were not recovered, Sgt Hickey said.
A second incident occurred on 19 December 2025. Sgt Hickey outlined that the accused took perfume and chicken fillets with a total value of €39.15 from Aldi. The property was also not recovered.
It was noted in court that the accused has 24 previous convictions, relating to a singular money laundering incident.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty said this was a “different case” and that his client’s previous convictions all related to the same incident, where ‘small’ amounts of money were deposited in her account, and she was charged each time this occurred.
Mr. Delahunty added that the accused is a mother of four, and cares for one of her children with additional needs. The solicitor concluded by stating that the offences occurred in the run-up to Christmas, and it would be an “awful shame” for his client to be sent to jail over it.
Judge Staunton handed the accused an eight month sentence which will be suspended for two years for the theft on 19 December. The other charge was taken into consideration.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
