TWO Romanian nationals seeking asylum in Ireland were given the benefit of the Probation Act yesterday when they admitted the theft of cash in pounds and sterling from the Bank of Ireland in Castleblayney earlier this week.
The court heard that Angel Radu, Main Street, Swords, and Traian Laie Rostas, Camden Street, Dublin, were charged with stealing £450 in Irish currency and £160 sterling from the bank on Thursday. They were also charged with handling the cash knowing it to be stolen.
Det Garda John Ogle, of Castleblayney, said Rostas had gone into the bank and asked the cashier to exchange £2,000 Irish for £2,000 sterling in £20 notes. The cashier counted out the money he had, which was £400 in sterling £20 notes and tried to explain that was all he had. In poor English, Rostas said that instead he would accept £2,000 in Irish £50 notes. The cashier then counted out £1,000 in £50 notes.
At that point Rostas had a change of heart and said he just wanted his £2,000 back. After this was done, he left the bank. The cashier checked the sterling £20 and the Irish £50 notes and found that some were missing.
Shortly afterwards the two men were arrested at Drumquill Annyalla, Castleblayney, and Radu was found to have the missing money on his person. The garda told Judge Michael Connellan that Radu had not been in the bank.
The men's solicitor, Mr Paul Moore, said Rostas thought he had asked for his change from the cashier and instead had got back all of his £2,000 and when he left the bank realised immediately he had got too much money and the cashier had made a mistake. He accepted he was going to take the good fortune and did the exchange of the money with Radu.
Both had been in Ireland since March 3rd and were staying in hostel accommodation arranged by the Refuge Council. Each was married with five children and their wives and children were with them in Ireland. They had an asylum hearing next September and realised the matter would do them no good, he said.
Judge Connellan said that on a donation of £250 each to the court, poor box he would not record a conviction and would instead deal, with the matter under the Probation of Offenders Act.