Man on bail accused of €35k electronics theft barred from Clare

A judge has barred a man charged with stealing €35,063 worth of electronic goods on two occasions from the same business on Ennis’s O’Connell Street from entering Clare.

At a sitting of Ennis District Court, Judge Marie Keane imposed the county ban on equestrian worker, Ion Bărbulescu as part of his bail conditions.

Judge Keane remanded Mr Bărbulescu with an address at Citi Hostel on Dublin’s Gardiner Street in custody with consent to bail and ordered that he can only take up bail if he can provide an independent surety to lodge €2,000 in cash to court.

Gardai opposed bail for Mr Bărbulescu and in evidence Det Garda Declan Keavey said that Mr Bărbulescu is charged with the theft of mobile phones, Apple AirPods, watches and other electronic goods to the value of €20,890 the property of CEX Entertainment, O’Connell Street on April 16 on the Easter weekend this year.

Det Garda Keavey said that Mr Bărbulescu is also charged with stealing mobile phones, smart watches, gaming consoles, AirPods and other electronic items to the value of €14,173 the property of CEX Entertainment, Ennis on the May Bank Holiday Monday on May 2. Mr Bărbulescu denies that he is guilty of the thefts.

Det Garda Keavey said that Gardai were opposing bail due to the seriousness of the alleged offences and that Mr Bărbulescu represents a flight risk as he has no family ties in Ireland.

It is alleged that the accused entered through the roof of the building and forced his way into the shop floor where he stole electronic goods to the value of €20,890 on April 16.

Det Garda Keavey said that in the early hours of May 2, the same premises was broken into for a second time and as in the previous incident, it is alleged that the accused gained entry by forcing his way through the roof of the building and allegedly smashing a portion to gain entry to the shop floor.

Det Keavey stated that DNA was taken from the scene of one of the alleged burglaries and he expressed confidence that the DNA will match a sample provided by Mr Bărbulescu.

Det Keavey said that at interview Mr Bărbulescu made no admissions and didn’t offer any co-operation in the recovery of the stolen goods.

Solicitor, Daragh Hassett for the accused said that Mr Bărbulescu “is satisfied that there will be no DNA match”.

Mr Hassett said, “Mr Bărbulescu expresses confidence that the DNA test is going to exonerate him – it can’t be his DNA because he wasn’t there – that is what he tells me.”

Mr Hassett said, “It can’t be his DNA because he wasn’t in the building. If he wasn’t there, how can he help you recover the goods?”

Seeking bail for his client, Mr Hassett said: “Mr Bărbulescu is here since 2007 and has worked with trainers and he has mentioned Noel Meade and mentioned other two horse trainers up in Co Kildare. He is employed part time at a riding school in Co Dublin.”

Judge Keane said that she was satisfied that her concerns can be satisfied by the independent surety.

As part of bail conditions, Judge Keane also ordered that the accused surrender his passport and also imposed signing on requirements at a Garda station in Dublin.