Romanian man given two-sentence for retrieving skimming device from ATM

A Romanian father-of-one who was caught by alert security guards retrieving a skimming device and camera from an ATM has recieved a two-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Florian Lupu (aged 21), of Glenealy Downs, Clonsilla, pleaded guilty to possession of a skimming device and adapted camera at Beaumont Hospital on October 11, 2007.

Judge Frank O'Donnell had remanded Lupu in custody after hearing evidence in the case in March. He told Lupu, who has 23 previous convictions, that he had "shown consistent disregard for any strictures".

Judge O'Donnell suspended the last year of Lupu's sentence but said: "Word has to go out that people doing what this man did must serve time."

Garda Francis Chaney told Mr Paul Greene BL, prosecuting, that security staff in Beaumont Hospital became aware that a skimming device had been found on an ATM on the premises.

A security guard took up a surveillance position near the ATM, which members of the public were told not to use, and observed a man remove the device while Lupu tried to obscure him from the CCTV cameras.

Gardai were called and the two men arrested. The skimming device, which captured the details from the magnetic strips of cards used in the ATM, and a pinhole camera, which captured Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), were retrieved nearby.

Lupu also had a tube of super glue which he told gardaí he had bought it to repair the sole of his shoe.

Gda Chaney said a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of his co-accused who failed to appear in court after being released on bail. He said he believed the man had left the country.

Defence counsel, Mr Paul Anthony McDermott BL, said Lupu had been addicted to drugs at the time and became involved with his older co-accused. He said Lupu was now clean of drugs and putting his life in order.