A young woman’s 21st birthday celebrations were spoiled when a sneaky thief robbed her bag containing gifts of cash and birthday cards she had received while she celebrated with friends at a city night club.
Before Judge Fiona Lydon at Galway District Court was Suras Covaci, Apt 41, Tornóg, Headford Road, Galway who pleaded guilty to the theft of the bag and a further shoplifting offence.
The Court was told that the victim was in the Electric club celebrating her 21st birthday with friends. She had received €1,000 in gifts and cards to mark the occasion and all had been left in her bag. The victim left her bag unattended and Covaci stole it and its contents and made off with them.
The goods were not recovered but the defendant was captured on the club’s CCTV stealing the bag and was subsequently arrested.
His defence pleaded that he had made restitution of €1,000 and had an extra €50 to compensate for the loss of the bag and purse.
Covaci works in a petrol station and he was very drunk on the night the crime was committed. He had moved to Galway from Dublin and his parents were taking the matter very seriously and dealing with it at the earliest opportunity.
Judge Lydon imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
The defendant was also charged with theft from Dunnes Stores, Headford Rd on July 19, 2024. He paid for some items but stole three cans of hairspray valued approximately €40. Another four-month suspended sentence was imposed for this offence.
Judge Lydon said the only redeeming factor in the handbag theft matter was that compensation had been paid, otherwise there might have been a very different outcome for the defendant.
