Woman deported from US by ICE over thefts in Cork unhappy about delay in case

The case had to be adjourned again because it was not possible for her solicitor to attend

Last week, Ciocolata Munteanu brought €380 compensation to court last week and pleaded guilty to the two theft charges but 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. Picture: Larry Cummins

The woman who was deported by ICE in Los Angeles to face old theft charges of stealing two hams and cosmetics in Cork was unhappy on Thursday to be given one more week to chew on her situation.

Ciocolata Munteanu brought €380 compensation to court last week and pleaded guilty to the two theft charges but 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,” the judge said. 

On Thursday, the case had to be adjourned again because it was not possible for her solicitor Dennis Healy to attend, and solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher had just been contacted by Mr Healy and asked to stand in for the case. Mr Kelleher said he did not know anything about the case. 

Judge Dorgan then said: “I will put it back for a week.” “But why?” Ms Munteanu asked. It was explained by Kelleher that it was not possible for Mr Healy to attend and that he had asked him to stand in. 

The 26-year-old defendant then said: “OK, but why did he not talk to you about this?” She complained that she had been in court three times already, pleaded guilty and paid the full compensation.

Judge Dorgan said: “You have been out of the jurisdiction for years. You are landing back now. I will put it back to April 23.” 

The defendant was deported by US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Last week, solicitor Dennis Healy said that in mitigation 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.

It was at that point that the judge put a stop to the sentencing hearing because the accused was smiling and chewing gum.

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 by American authorities and we were alerted to her arrival. She was deported from the US after five years, on a flight from L.A. (on March 24). 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 including that she would live at 50 Orchard Court, Blackpool, Cork, sign daily at Bridewell garda station, and not leave 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.