Five Lithuanians charged with thefts from 13 pharmacies

FIVE Lithuanians, four of whom have only been in Ireland since Friday last, appeared before Mallow District Court yesterday charged with stealing goods valued at a total of €1,773.22 from 13 different pharmacies across Cork and Waterford on Valentine’s Day.

The defendants are Egle Sarnauskaite, aged 20, and Snieguole Radziukait, aged 19, both women, and Andrius Sakalaufkas, aged 22, Aurelijus Krascauskas, aged 27, and Vitalijus Bocys, aged 25, all of no fixed abode. They were remanded in custody to Fermoy District Court on this Friday.

Judge Michael Pattwell heard that the five are charged with taking €237.58 worth of goods from Medical Hall, MacCurtain Street, Fermoy, €77.97 worth of goods from Birmingham Chemist, and €198.96 worth of goods from Walsh’s Pharmacy, both Patrick St, Fermoy, and €38.50 worth of goods from Ross Pharmacy, Cork Road, Fermoy, all on February 14.

On the same day, they’re charged with taking €152.91 worth of goods from Mari Mina Pharmacy, Main St, Rathcormac and €135 worth of goods from Murphy’s Pharmacy, North Main St, Youghal.

In addition, all five are charged with taking €151.88 worth of goods from Brosnan’s Pharmacy, Main St, Midleton; goods valued at €40 from Walsh’s Pharmacy, 50 Main St, Midleton, €90.90 worth of goods from Murphy’s Pharmacy, Riversdale Shopping Centre, Midleton, goods valued at €524.43 from Owenacurra Pharmacy, Main St, Midleton, and goods valued at €12.69 from Unicare, Main St, Midleton; goods valued at €72 from Connelly’s Pharmacy, Main St, Dungarvan, and €34.90 worth of goods from Kelly’s Pharmacy, High St, Dungarvan.

Finally, all five were charged with handling stolen property, to wit assorted cosmetics to the value of €1,773.22.

Matt Bermingham, defending, applied for legal aid and for bail. Legal aid was granted but bail was refused after Judge Pattwell heard evidence from Detective Garda Sean Leahy, who said: “When they were arrested and asked for their addresses, where they were staying in Ireland, they said they didn’t have an Irish address. We have documentation in our possession which states that four of these people travelled into Ireland on the 11th of this month by ferry, from Cherbourg to Rosslare.”

In relation to Krascauskas, Det Garda Leahy said: “We have no indication of when or where that man arrived into Ireland. We are of the opinion that he has been in Ireland a lot longer than he says he has.

“We are objecting to bail on a number of counts. We believe they have no ties to this jurisdiction. Four of them arrived into Ireland on the 11th of this month. They would not and have not given us addresses and we believe if given bail, they would leave the jurisdiction and would not stand trial.”