FOUR Roma women were caught with aprons adapted to conceal stolen property under their skirts in Cork city centre, a Garda Inspector said yesterday at Cork District Court.
One of the four women was present to face charges arising out of the case.
Vandana Munteanu of 50 Orchard Court, Blackpool, pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of modifying an article for the concealment of stolen property to be used in the course of theft.
The 20-year-old, who had previous theft convictions, also pleaded guilty to several charges of possessing stolen property on the same date.
Inspector Ronan Kenneally said the crimes were detected on February 25 at Daunt Square.
The inspector said four members of the Roma community were found in possession of property that had been stolen from several shops all around Cork city centre.
He said that in Munteanu’s case the particular item that had been modified for use in the course of theft was an apron worn under a number of skirts.
Defence solicitor, Dennis Healy, described the item in question as a pillowcase.
“She was given stuff by others and she is putting her hands up.”
Mr Healy submitted to Judge John Cheatle that the defendant was unlikely to be before the courts again for offences.
He said she had a baby recently, she now received social welfare and she had signed on for an educational course and was hoping to find work and better herself.
Judge Cheatle said Munteanu was beginning to clock up the criminal convictions.
“Hopefully now that she has her baby, she has social welfare and she is doing a FÁS course she will turn the corner,” Judge Cheatle said.
He fined her €90 and put her on a bond to keep the peace and commit no further offences for the next 10 months.
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