Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2171Theft, attempted motor theft (deception) · Co. Cork · 14 Nov 2023

Callum Kearney jailed for three years for BMW dealership swindles in Cork and Wicklow

Callum Kearney, 23, targeted car dealerships in Cork and Wicklow in November 2023 to acquire BMWs valued at approximately €164,000, using Photoshopped images mimicking AIB bank transfer confirmations to show payment. He took a BMW for a test drive, failed to return it, and put fake registration plates on the car, which was later located in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Kearney pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to theft and attempted motor theft. In March 2025, he was sentenced to three years with 21 months suspended, backdated to his November remand, while already serving a 27-month sentence for deception offences.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • He targeted car dealerships in Cork and Wicklow to acquire BMWs valued at approximately €164,000.
  • He sent Photoshopped images mimicking AIB bank transfer confirmations to show payment, but the money was not received.
  • He took a BMW for a test drive, failed to return it, and put fake registration plates on the car.
Where
The car was later located in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
When
On 14 November 2023 he called Ashford Motors in Rathnew, Wicklow, looking to buy two BMWs valued at €89,950 and €54,950, and six days later visited CMC Car Sales in Mallow to view a BMW priced at €28,950.
Investigation
When the car was located, he gave a different name and claimed he had the car for three or four years.
Charges
He pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to theft and attempted motor theft.
Sentence
  • He received a three-year sentence with 21 months suspended, backdated to his November remand.
  • The suspended portion continues for five years after release, during which he must not reoffend and must continue attending psychotherapy.
Other details
  • He was already serving a 27-month sentence for deception offences and had 41 prior convictions.
  • He was diagnosed with ADHD and autism and had witnessed domestic abuse during a difficult upbringing.
  • He was studying criminology in custody and was on the enhanced regime in prison.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe targeted car dealerships in Cork and Wicklow to acquire BMWs valued at approximately €164,000. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe sent phone screenshots to show bank transfers but the money was not received and he did not get the cars. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe took the BMW for a test drive and failed to return. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe put fake registration plates on the car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe learned to use Photoshop to make images of bank transfers using the same font and colour as AIB. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe car was later located in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenOn 14 November 2023, Kearney called Ashford Motors in Rathnew, Wicklow, looking to buy two BMWs valued at €89,950 and €54,950. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenSix days later he went to CMC Car Sales in Mallow to view a BMW priced at €28,950. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe accused gave a different name and claimed he had the car for three or four years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to theft and attempted motor theft. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceKearney received a three-year sentence with 21 months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspended portion will continue for five years after his release, during which he must not reoffend and must continue attending psychotherapy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge backdated the custodial part of the sentence to November when Kearney went into prison on remand. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was already serving a 27-month sentence for deception offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney admitted the crime and said he had a buyer ready to pay €15,000 for part of the engine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKearney had 41 prior convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe had witnessed domestic abuse during a difficult upbringing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was studying criminology in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was on the enhanced regime in prison. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Mar2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    'Walter Mitty' swindler jailed after targeting car dealerships selling BMWs

    Sentencing report: three-year sentence with 21 months suspended, backdated to November remand; details of the two dealership visits, the Photoshop method, the car's recovery in Mullingar, and mitigation including ADHD, autism and 41 prior convictions.

    convicted, Callum Kearney, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Callum Kearney