Apple worker stole 2 iPhones

A Portuguese Apple employee, who was under pressure to repay Russian drug dealers in Cork and stole two iPhones from the company’s base in Hollyhill, has received a four-month suspended sentence.

Judge Olann Kelleher said yesterday that Bruno Viera of Capwell Rd, Turner’s Cross, Cork, had breached the trust of his employers by stealing the two iPhones.

Viera, 37, said he had not just lost his job but had lost a career he had been building up over years in Ireland. He said that before losing his job he had been managing 20 people.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said at Cork District Court that Viera’s problems stemmed from a serious heroin addiction.

Viera said yesterday: “My addiction took over. I had a big debt to drug dealers. On my way to work one day they stopped me and told me I had two weeks to pay. I panicked. They knew where I was living. I was putting my partner and son in danger. I had to come up with the money.”

He said he was eight months clear of heroin at the time but still had the debt to clear.

Inspector Michael McGuire said the defendant went to his workplace on Saturday, Sept 1, a day when he was not working, and stole two different model iPhones, worth €1,458.

Viera was seen taking the items on CCTV. The stolen property was not recovered.

Mr Burke said the defendant had brought the full value of the phones to court in cash to pay his former employer.

Mr Burke said Viera did a full treatment programme at Tabor Lodge and an aftercare programme.

Judge Kelleher said it was a serious matter for the employer as it represented a breach of trust by the employee.