Man set to be sentenced after thefts of luxury cars

SENTENCING of a second man who pleaded guilty to his part in a criminal operation to steal luxury cars in various parts of the country was adjourned until Wednesday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The case could not be reached because of ongoing cases before the court, so Judge Helen Boyle adjourned it.

The intricately-planned scam saw parties checking out cars advertised on DoneDeal, distracting the owner, switching the spare key, and returning later to drive away in cars, such as a Mercedes, without paying anything.

Detective Garda John Murphy outlined this modus operandi during a related sentencing hearing for one of the accused who turned up at various locations, including Killarney, Co Kerry; Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan; Tipperary town; Dundalk, Co Louth; and Conna, Co Cork; on different dates in March and April last year.

Since then, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Rosmarin Serban, aged 47, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to related charges.

The accused man admitted deception in relation to a Ford Kuga at Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, on March 13/14, 2023; theft of a key of car at Curraglass, Ballynoe, Co Cork, on April 3, 2023; possession of a stolen Audi car key to be used in connection with a theft on April 5, 2023, at Conna, Co Cork; possession of an Apple Air Tag with intention that it be used in connection with a theft at the same date and place; conspiring with others to commit a serious offence — namely theft — at various locations in Co Cork; and finally, possession of a false instrument, namely a Spanish driving licence, in another name.

Sentencing will take place on Wednesday.