Man accused of theft at Kildare Dunnes Stores supermarket was 'living in a tent'

A man appeared before Naas District Court in connection to allegations of stealing food and alcohol from a number of Naas District Court.

Garda Micheál Mangan told of arresting the defendant and charging him at Leixlip garda station.

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Gda Mangan told the court that Marius Schiopu, 27, has no fixed address and had been in Ireland for less than two years, was sleeping rough and residing in a tent.

The defendant is being prosecuted in connection to a number of allegations including the theft of €470 worth of goods from Dunnes Stores at Manor Mills, Maynooth on March 17, 2025; eight bottles of Moet champagne worth €496 from a Tesco store in Tullamore on January 29, 2025; €1076 worth of foods from a Tesco store near Kinnegad on January 29, 2025 and €1300 worth of goods from a Tesco store in Cork city on April 11, 2024.

Gda Mangan said that while some of the goods were recovered, others were not.

Referring to the alleged thefts the garda said “it’s obvious he has a market for this.”

He also said the man has a young child.

Barrister Aisling Murphy said the defendant did not have an address but will make efforts to get into a hostel and could provide an address at a hostel, if granted bail. She said he would travel by bus to attend court appointments.

Ms Murphy also said he has an issue with alcohol and drugs. She added his mother resides in Italy and can put up €800 to secure bail.

Judge Desmond Zaidan declined to grant bail and noted that the garda objections to granting bail were well founded.