COURTS: Woman who refused to pay hairdresser escapes conviction

A woman charged with dishonestly making off without paying for services has escaped conviction and had her case dealt with under the probation act to avoid triggering a suspended sentence.

Anne Marie Joyce, of 16 St Patrick's Park, Athboy Road, Navan, Co Meath, appeared last week before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court.

She is charged with obtaining services from a hairdresser to the value of €300 and dishonestly making off without paying.

Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that, on November 17, 2021, at approximately 9.10am, Gardaí were called to an address at Lana Aoibhinn, Longford.

The injured party, a hairdresser, had been booked to braid hair for three people, the court heard, and when she finished, there was an argument over payment.

“Two people said they paid €50 each, and the defendant said she paid €90. The injured party says she still hasn't received any payment,” said Sgt Daly.

Ms Joyce has 42 previous convictions, including some for threatening and abusive behaviour, violent disorder, production of an article and criminal damage in Mullingar Circuit Court in November 2021.

Solicitor for the defence, Ms Bríd Mimnagh said her client's hair was done first, and that she had left her money with her sister, but “it was never passed on”.

Ms Joyce had €100 in court and had apologised to the lady who had done her hair. The court also heard that Ms Joyce hasn't been in trouble since.

“We eventually got to the point where she pleaded, and she has €100 in court, which should be paid to the injured party,” said Judge Owens.

“She does have an issue the court has to look at - the 42 previous convictions and a suspended sentence.

“It might be disproportionate to deal with it in a way that will trigger the suspended sentence, so I'm dealing with it by way of Section 2 of the probation act,” she concluded.