Couple avoid prison after theft of cosmetics worth over €2,000 from Mayo store

A COUPLE who helped steal over €2,000 worth of perfume and aftershave from a Mayo store by concealing them in a child's buggy both received a five month suspended prison sentence.

Iulian Samu (23) and Lorena Voins (25) both of 33 Fana Glas, Ballybane, Co Galway appeared before Castlebar District Court where they pleaded guilty to the theft of 27 items of perfume and aftershave worth €2,403.26 from Shaw's Department Store in Castlebar.

The court heard that on September 5, 2025 they entered Shaw's with two other people at 4.55pm and they placed the items in a concealed compartment of a buggy with a young child in it before leaving without paying.

Court presenter, Sergeant Conor McShane explained that they were pursued by the store's security after they left and apprehended soon afterwards and the items were received.

Mr Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for the two defendants said his clients were pleading guilty to the offence and wished to apologise for their behaviour. He explained that the buggy and the child belonged to the other couple who were relatives of Mr Samu and claimed his clients were not the driving force behind the theft.

Judge Sandra Murphy was informed that following their arrest, the four defendants were released on bail after Mr Samu's father provided the money for the bail bond. Mr Mulchrone said that he understands the other two defendants left the jurisdiction and as a result of not showing up to court, Mr Samu's father was now €8,000 out of pocket.

The court was told that Mr Samu and Ms Voins had no previous convictions and both worked in Galway for Mr Samu's father who has a food distributing business in the city. Mr Mulchrone said his clients foolishly decided to go to Castlebar with the other couple but had been very co-operative with the gardaí following their arrest.

He told Judge Murphy that his clients were eager to do whatever the court asks of them including a form of restorative justice and he did not expect to see them before the court again.

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Judge Murphy said she accepted that the defendants were not the main players but described the theft as a very serious matter and it was a joint enterprise. She said there was an element of premeditation behind it given the use of the buggy and the concealed department to hide the stolen items. Judge Murphy added that the goods were only recovered thanks to the vigilance of the security staff.

Following a discussion with his clients, Mr Mulchrone said they were willing to forfeit the €2,000 cash bond to whatever charity the state recommends.

Judge Murphy sentenced both defendants to five months imprisonment but suspended the entirety of the sentence for a 12 month period subject to conditions including paying €2,000 in a compensation order.