Courts / Dublin / Report
Romanian organised crime gang involved in series of ram raids
Summary
Three Romanian men—Ricardo Stancu (38), Daniel Murgea (31) and Ionut Leonard Petriu (19)—were sentenced for a series of ram‑raid burglaries in eastern Ireland in July 2023. The gang used a stolen "dummy" silver Mercedes to smash into the front windows of a Dublin phone shop and a Vodafone shop in Newbridge, and later rammed a car into the gates of a motor dealer on Naas Road. They stole a 5‑series BMW from a dealership in Clondalkin, which was later used as a getaway vehicle. The men pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and organised‑crime offences. Stancu and Murgea remain in custody; Petriu is on bail. The court heard the incidents caused extensive property damage—over €49,000 at the 3 Store, €16,000 at Whitewater, €4,000 at the dealership and €1,753 at the motor dealer—yet no mobile phones were stolen as they were kept in a safe.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Romanian organised crime gang involved in series of ram raids. Charges or matters: burglary, criminal damage and organised crime offences; assisting the group and his culpability was the lowest of the three, the court heard. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 3 Incident
- July 3, 2023 Other
- July 4 Incident
- October 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-12-10 Publication
Why: The gang left with nothing because the mobile phones were kept in a safe. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: burglary, criminal damage and organised crime offences; assisting the group and his culpability was the lowest of the three, the court heard (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Accused
Charges: burglary, criminal damage and organised crime offences; assisting the group and his culpability was the lowest of the three, the court heard (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Accused
Charges: burglary, criminal damage and organised crime offences; assisting the group and his culpability was the lowest of the three, the court heard (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin city
- Henry Street
- Naas Road
- Henry Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- North Circular Road
- Dublin
- Middle Abbey Street
Topics
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