A woman has been jailed for three and a half years in relation to the theft of 15 iPhones from a Tralee store.
35-year-old Ana Loredana Adam, with an address in Kilmahuddrick Walk, Clondalkin Dublin appeared before Judge Ronan Munro.
The mother-of-six, who's originally from Romania, faced three charges of theft with a total value of over €22,000.
Detective James Gilmartin gave evidence to Tralee Circuit Court that Ana Loredana Adam arrived in Ireland on January 19th and had a return flight booked for February the 7th.
He outlined that on January 27th, the defendant entered Fields Jewellery Store in Galway with two other women, and stole five gold necklaces worth over €4,300.
The court was told, on February 1st that Ms Loredana Adam and two females arrived at the Abbey Car Park in Tralee, at 25 past 1 (13.25) in the afternoon.
At 16 minutes to two (13.44), the two females entered the 3 phone store in the Square, and the defendant entered six minutes later, entering a staff area and subsequently taking 15 iPhones while the staff were distracted.
The court heard in the space of 21 minutes the accused parked, entered the store, stole over €17,700 worth of phones and had left the car park again.
The third charge related to the theft of just under €365 worth of clothes from Hugo Boss in the Kildare village the following day.
Judge Ronan Munro was told the defendant had previously been charged for similar offences in Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic and Sweden.
A letter presented to the judge outlined Ms Loredana Adam found herself in dire straights after her partner left her, and she came to Ireland to find work.
In his ruling, Judge Munro described the string of thefts as a professional operation, sentencing her to four years in prison with six months suspended subject to conditions.
