A woman who stole clothes while on a shopping trip in Dublin had made a mistake due to "youthful exuberance", a court heard.

Karoline Silva (22) was left without a criminal record after she made a €50 charity donation.

Silva, from The Grange, Raheen, Limerick, pleaded guilty to stealing clothes worth €58 from Penneys on Mary Street.

Judge Anthony Halpin struck the case out.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happ-ened last June 13.

The accused passed all points of payment with the goods and was stopped by security staff as she left.

The clothes were recovered in a saleable condition.

Homesick

Silva had no previous convictions.

The court heard she was from Brazil and had come to Ireland to "comfort" her mother, who had been here for three years and was homesick.

On the day, Silva went to Dublin with friends and took the clothes while shopping.

The court heard she had made "a very stupid decision as a result of youthful exuberance".

She was very remorseful for what happened and was due to start a job soon.

Herald