Courts / Dublin / Report
Man jailed for his role in stolen credit card operation
Summary
Ion Matei, aged 37, was jailed for his role in a well‑organised credit‑card fraud that spent nearly €20,000 in high‑street shops in 2009. He and three accomplices used a stolen American Express company card belonging to Oracle employee Phillip Ryan to buy clothes, perfumes and handbags at Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Next and Debenhams. The fraud began after Ryan received a new card in October 2009, which he never used. Garda Wayne Donnelly compiled CCTV footage showing four people using the card, including Matei. Matei was arrested in February 2010, denied knowledge of the theft but admitted using the card to buy goods. He pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen credit card and 19 theft charges totalling €7,377, plus possession of a stolen Ulster Bank card and theft of €1,350 in 2014. Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced him to four years, suspending two on the condition of keeping the peace for four years. Ion Matei was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for his role in stolen credit card operation. Charges or matters: possession of a stolen credit card at various locations in Dublin between October 20 and November 3, 2009 and to 19 charges of stealing a total of €7,377 from the credit card account at shops in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- December 2008 Other
- February 2010 Incident
- October 20 Incident
- November 3, 2009 Incident
- April 9 Incident
- April 18, 2014 Incident
- April 13 Incident
- December 2013 Other
- September 2009 Other
- 2015-03-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of a stolen credit card at various locations in Dublin between October 20 and November 3, 2009 and to 19 charges of stealing a total of €7,377 from the credit card account at shops in Dublin, Limerick and Cork (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Judge Desmond Hogan suspended the two years of a four year sentence on condition he keeps the peace for four years.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request