News

Bail denied for 3 men involved in Irish ATM scam

January 4, 2004

DUBLIN - Three illegal Romanian immigrants who have been in custody for the past five weeks in connection with an ATM fraud case again failed in their efforts to be released on bail on Jan. 2.

According to a report in the Irish Examiner, the three men were allegedly involved in an elaborate scam to steal cash from ATMs when they were caught red-handed in Dungarvan on Nov. 27.

A fourth member of the gang escaped and, despite a manhunt throughout Ireland's southeast, has still not been found.

Authorities said at least 12 deposit accounts had varying amounts of cash taken from them.

The prosecution alleges that the gang members used a computer and a miniature closed-circuit television system before their operation was foiled by gardaí in Dungarvan when three of the four men were arrested outside an AIB branch.

Nicoara Covaci, 29, Nicolai Dragam Teodar, 27, and Ion Poleac, 23, are jointly charged with having a Sony laptop computer in their possession without lawful excuse, and also with having information-cloning equipment for use in connection with the commission of a crime.

They are further charged, before Judge James McNulty at Youghal District Court, with dishonestly operating or causing to operate a computer with the intention of making gain and causing loss to others, and with failing to produce valid passports or temporary residency certificates to establish their nationalities.

According to the Examiner, Inspector Martin Dorney made an application to the court to have all three accused further remanded in continuing custody to Dungarvan District Court on Jan. 14.

Inspector Dorney reiterated the prosecution's previous opposition to the granting of bail, on the grounds that the accused are of no fixed abode, don't hold valid passports and that they would not stand trial if released by the court.

Sean Holt, solicitor for the defendants, said he was asking the court to reconsider its decision and to grant his clients bail with conditions, including that they sign on regularly at a designated police station.

Judge McNulty said it was unlikely that he would change his mind on the bail issue, but agreed to a second calling of the case to enable the defense solicitor to consult further with his clients.

Holt then said he would not proceed with the bail application, but neither would he consent to the prosecution's application for a further remand in custody of the accused.

Judge McNulty then remanded them to Dungarvan court on Jan. 14 and approved the acquiring of the services of an interpreter for them.