Courts / Dublin / Report
Romanian man who fled Ireland after spree of 'elaborate' ATM thefts is jailed
Summary
Sergiu Lupo, 39, pleaded guilty to 43 counts of theft, attempted theft and criminal damage for a three‑day spree of targeted ATM thefts in Dublin from 3 to 6 June 2019. He stole €7,260 and caused €7,147 in damage across 24 incidents at AIB ATMs in locations such as Artane, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Rathfarnham, Finglas, Swords and Portmarnock. Lupo also assisted in a separate incident at Sutton Cross, where he watched two men withdraw cash and then drove them away. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to two years and six months' imprisonment, back‑dated to 15 November 2024, for the deliberate, organised nature of the offences and the significant financial loss and inconvenience caused to AIB and the public. The sentence reflects the aggravating factors of the scale of theft and damage, and the fact that Lupo fled and was extradited back to Ireland. He has no prior convictions in Ireland or elsewhere.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Romanian man who fled Ireland after spree of 'elaborate' ATM thefts is jailed. Charges or matters: 43 counts including theft, attempted theft and criminal damage between June 3 and June 6, 2019; assisting in the commission of an indictable offence between June 6 and June 7 2019 at Sutton Cross. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 3 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 6, 2019 Incident
- June 6 Incident
- June 7 2019 Incident
- November 15, 2024 Incident
- December 2024 Incident
- May 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 5, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-05-28 Publication
Why: Counsel noted the passage of time since this offending occurred but acknowledged that is also "because Lupo did not make himself amenable to justice". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 43 counts including theft, attempted theft and criminal damage between June 3 and June 6, 2019; assisting in the commission of an indictable offence between June 6 and June 7 2019 at Sutton Cross (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge said the amount of offending in a "deliberate organised, and targeted fashion" meant that a custodial sentence had to be imposed. Having considered the mitigation and Lupo's personal circumstances, Judge Crowe imposed a global sentence of two years and six months, backdated to November 15, 2024 to give credit for time served in custody.; A card would then be put back into the ATM and €600 requested.
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