Nun among victims in alleged Dublin ATM distraction theft spree

Tom Tuite

A refuse worker has been accused of targeting mainly elderly women, including a nun, during a series of distraction thefts at ATMs around Dublin.

Levers Zinca, 30, a Romanian national living in Ireland since 2016, was in tears when he appeared at Dublin District Court on Monday, charged with seven ATM distraction thefts across Dublin.

The prosecution alleged there was a pattern of offences and that the defendant made off with around € 1,920 during seven incidents between May and December 2025.

Garda Oisín Burke objected to bail, telling Judge Michele Finan that the accused, who has an address at Synnott Place, Dublin 7, had been difficult to locate and had spent time abroad. The accused maintained he left his home at 4am to work for his part-time job.

Garda Burke cited the seriousness of the offences.

He alleged that on the afternoon of May 3rd, at Jervis Shopping Centre, Dublin 1, the accused "distracted" an 89-year-old man while he attempted to withdraw €200 and fled with the cash.

The court heard that on June 30th at around 2pm, at Bank of Ireland, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, the suspect approached a woman, aged 83. In this incident, it was alleged he "snatched" another €200 and fled the scene after distracting her.

Garda Burke maintained that on July 15th, at AIB, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14, at around midday, the accused distracted an 80-year-old woman as she withdrew funds and stole €200 from her.

The contested bail hearing was informed that on July 22nd, just after 12pm, at Bank of Ireland, O'Connell Street Lower, he allegedly targeted a nun, aged 80, when he used a sheet of paper to obscure her view while he selected €200 to be dispensed.

The fifth alleged incident was at Main Street, Finglas, Dublin 11, on August 10, when it was claimed the accused approached a man, aged 67, from behind and "grabbed €200 as it was dispensed." That complainant could not pursue him due to "age and mobility issues."

On September 29th, at AIB, Capel Street, Dublin 1, he is said to have approached another female pensioner, aged 81, from behind and grabbed €220 before fleeing.

It was alleged that on December 30, again at Bank of Ireland, O'Connell Street Lower, he went up to a 50-year-old woman after she entered her PIN. It was alleged that he input a command into the ATM to dispense €700 and fled.

The court heard that there was CCTV evidence and that the accused had previously travelled to England and Denmark.

Defence solicitor Donal Quigley said his client had the presumption of innocence and a stable address with his family, as confirmed by his employer. Payslips were handed into court.

Mr Zinca has yet to indicate a plea.

The waste operative, a father of three, told the court he had come to Ireland to work and raise his family. He had gone to England to see one of his children who lives there.

The solicitor argued that these individual offences were allegedly committed over seven months and would likely be dealt with in the District Court.

However, the garda contended that he would be seeking a direction for them to be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Bail was refused.

Legal aid granted, and Mr Zinca was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.