Man charged over €50,000 jewellery theft in Dublin city

RTÉ News​

26-04-2025

A man in his 30s has been remanded in custody accused of stealing jewellery worth around €50,000 from a shop on Kildare Street in Dublin city centre.
Ionut Firica, 31, from Romania, was arrested yesterday morning and appeared at Dublin District Court today.
Defence counsel Sam Friel told Judge Catherine Ghent that his client "is only in the country five days" and is deferring his bail application.
Mr Firica, who has been using an address on George's Street in Dublin, is charged with entering Bespoke Diamonds, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, as a trespasser to commit theft on 25 April.
Garda Niamh Dunne told Judge Ghent that the man was arrested at St Stephen's Green in the early hours of yesterday morning, taken to Pearse Street station, and "made no reply" when charged.
Gda Dunne said she would object to his bail.
The accused, who has yet to indicate a plea, listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter and did not speak during the hearing.
Mr Friel BL, instructed by solicitor Stephen O'Mahony, told Judge Ghent his client was not applying for bail at this stage.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 2 May, and an interpreter was booked to attend the next hearing.
Legal aid was granted.
Mr Firica had been detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 for questioning until he was charged last night and then held pending his court hearing.
Gardaí sealed St Stephen's Green Park to conduct a daylight search of the area. At around 6am, they located a bag and the jewellery was recovered.
The charge against Mr Firica is under section 12 of the Theft and Fraud Act.