Worker charged with theft of 13 iphones worth €11,000
A WORKER at a west Dublin business stole a box of iphones worth €11,000 from a loading bay and took it in the van he was driving.
Neil McDonnell admitted stealing the 13 phones when he appeared in Blanchardstown District Court.
Blanchardstown District Court
Judge David McHugh adjourned his case to a date next February after McDonnell entered a guilty plea.
McDonnell, aged 52, with an address at Limekiln Road, Greenhills is charged with theft at Securispeed, Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin on February 13, 2020.
Sergeant Maria Callaghan said the DPP was consenting to the case being dealt with summarily in the district court subject to the judge considering whether to accept jurisdiction.
This direction was in the event of a guilty plea only.
Outlining the state’s case, she said on February 17, a report was taken of an alleged theft at the premises earlier.
A staff member, the accused, could be seen on CCTV taking a box containing 13 iPhone 11s, with a combined value of €11,202, from a loading bay in the premises.
He placed the box into a van that he was driving on the day. McDonnell subsequently presented himself to the gardai when the case was investigated.
Judge McHugh accepted jurisdiction to hear the case in the district court.
Defence barrister Jennifer Jackson said McDonnell was offering a plea of guilty but asked the judge not to “dispose of it now.”
The accused had suffered from a gambling addiction and had attended a treatment centre. Ms Jackson said the issue of compensation might also be relevant in the case.
Judge McHugh agreed to adjourn the case to a date in February, remanding the accused on continuing bail.
