Courts / Kildare / Report

Teen victim of fake taxi scam pushed out of moving car

Date
2026-03-23

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

Maria Muntean, 37, pleaded guilty to robbery and endangerment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court regarding a fake taxi scam in March 2023. The court heard that Muntean drove a vehicle while her son, Damit Rostas, lured a 19-year-old victim into the car. When a garda patrol appeared, the victim was pushed from the moving vehicle. Rostas was sentenced to 27 months in custody last year for his role. Muntean, who has 50 previous convictions, admitted the charges. Defense counsel Gregory Murphy BL submitted that Muntean acted as a follower, apologized on her behalf, and requested a suspended sentence, citing her care responsibilities for seven children, including one with serious medical issues. Judge Martin Nolan described the offense as serious and concluded that Muntean could not avoid a custodial term given her record. However, acknowledging the impact on her children, the judge adjourned finalisation until May to allow time for care arrangements to be made. Muntean was remanded on continuing bail pending the adjourned sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen victim of fake taxi scam pushed out of moving car. Charges or matters: robbery and endangerment. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 19, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
2026-03-23 Publication

Case subjects

Maria Muntean

Defendant

Charges: robbery and endangerment (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Murphy submitted that his client has turned her life around and asked the court to consider imposing a suspended prison sentence.; Judge Nolan said the court would give Muntean time for arrangements to be made for the care of the child and adjourned finalisation until May, remanding her on continuing bail.