Two men receive suspended prison sentences after Wexford gardaí track them to Dublin Airport

By Megan Farrell, Wexford People

Two men intercepted at Dublin Airport in the aftermath of a theft in Wexford have received suspended prison sentences at Gorey District Court.

The court heard that a woman was carrying out her shopping in a supermarket in Wexford Town, when Bogdan Gabor (35) of Iasi, Chinieins, Romania, and Bogdan Vranceanu (40) of Strada Alexandru, Lapusneanu 68, Romania, observed her belongings in her trolley. The two men, working in tandem, managed to steal her phone and purse.

Shortly afterwards, the woman’s bank card was used to withdraw cash and purchase high-value items, including an iPad. While the total value of the transactions exceeded €3,000, many of the items were later recovered, leaving the injured party out of pocket by approximately €1,000.

Gabor and Vranceanu were both identified by CCTV footage from the supermarket.

Solicitor for both accused, Lana Doherty, informed the court that both man are Romanian nationals who had come to Ireland for a family bereavement. She informed the court that both men had made admissions in interview and entered immediate pleas of guilty.

Gabor’s wife had also arranged for a transfer of €1,000 to the solicitor’s office as compensation for the injured party.

Judge Cheatle imposed a two month prison sentence suspended for a period of 12 months for both men.