Chewing gum hampers case of woman deported by ICE from US over thefts in Cork

The woman was living in Los Angeles for five years but was sent back to Cork where she was wanted for the theft of two hams and cosmetics

Ciocolata Munteanu had a car and $20,000 in savings seized by ICE in the US. Picture: Larry Cummins

ICE seized a car and $20,000 in savings from a woman living in Los Angeles for five years and sent her back to Cork where she was wanted for the theft of two hams and cosmetics, but on Thursday her court appearance came unstuck over chewing gum.

The case was to have been finalised on Thursday after she was arrested a fortnight ago on her arrival in Ireland when deported by US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ciocolata Munteanu pleaded guilty on her March 25 court appearance and sentencing was adjourned until Thursday for €380 compensation to be paid. Judge Mary Dorgan put the matter back in the morning until later in the afternoon as the 25-year-old did not have the compensation with her.

Dennis Healy, solicitor, confirmed when the case was eventually reached in the afternoon that she had a bank draft for the compensation. In mitigation, he outlined that the thefts dated back to a time before her family left Cork to live in Los Angeles.

“ICE came along and decided they were removing foreigners, they took her savings of $20,000, they took her car, they left her with $200,” Mr Healy said.

At that point in the proceedings, Judge Mary Dorgan said the young woman was smiling and chewing gum in court as her solicitor was speaking on her behalf and that this was inappropriate. “In here we look for respect. She can come back on April 16,” Judge Dorgan said.

Mr Healy applied for free legal aid. Judge Dorgan said: “She had a substantial amount of money in America.” Mr Healy said: “She has nothing now – ICE took it.” 

The question of free legal aid was reserved as the case was adjourned for a week.

Previous evidence

On March 25, Garda Pat Costello said at Cork District Court that he arrested Ciocolata Munteanu at Dublin Airport when she arrived on a deportation flight.

“The circumstances are that she was deported back from America by American authorities and we were alerted to her arrival. She was deported from the US after five years, on a flight from LA. Her whole family were there for the last six years,” Garda Pat Costello said.

There was no objection to the accused being remanded on bail on conditions. Those conditions include living at 50 Orchard Court, Blackpool, Cork, signing daily at Bridewell garda station, and not leaving the jurisdiction.

Back on November 27, 2018, she stole two hams valued €80, and on January 24, 2019, she stole €264 worth of cosmetics at Boots, Blackpool, Cork. She pleaded guilty to those thefts at Cork District Court on Thursday.