Woman (21) pleads guilty to €60 theft in Wicklow shop
The Wicklow PeopleA woman described in court as being exploited by a criminal organisation has been fined, after admitting to stealing a €60 bracelet from a Wicklow giftware shop.
Alina Lungu (21), with an address at homeless accommodation in Wicklow, appeared before Bray District Court charged with theft contrary to Section 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
A plea of guilty was entered, and Judge Áine Shannon accepted jurisdiction.
The court heard that on November 27, at Byrne’s Giftware & Furniture, Main Street, Corporation Lands, Wicklow, the defendant entered the store and stole a bracelet valued at €60.
Ms Lungu left the scene in a car and was apprehended shortly afterwards. During a search, stolen makeup was also recovered, though it is not known where the makeup had been stolen from. She was brought to Wicklow Garda Station for processing.
Ms Lungu is a Romanian national who has been in Ireland for just over a month, the court was told.
The court also heard that Ms Lungu is believed to have been exploited by an unknown criminal organisation to carry out shoplifting.
Her solicitor, Dermot Hickey, told the court that his client is a single woman who is fearful for her life. He added that she wishes to remain in Ireland and find work as a cleaner, but currently has no PPS number.
Her co-defendant is currently outside the jurisdiction, allegedly having returned to Romania to care for her sick child. Her husband was present in court and stated that she will return to Ireland in January.
A bench warrant previously issued for her failure to appear was cancelled, and the court was told she intends to enter a guilty plea.
Judge Shannon fined Ms Lungu €100 and gave her six months to pay.