Ireland Man jailed for ATM distraction thefts targeting elderly victims
Levers Zinca (31), a man whose nationality is not stated, stole almost €2,000 in a series of ATM distraction thefts between July and December 2025, targeting elderly and vulnerable people, including an elderly woman at an AIB branch in Dundrum Town Centre and an elderly nun on O'Connell Street, Dublin. He was identified from CCTV and arrested in January 2026. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to seven counts of theft at ATMs totalling €1,940. The latest development, reported on 8 October 2026, is a sentence of five years with the final six months suspended for two years, backdated to January 2026, which the Irish Times describes as four and a half years in custody.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Zinca stole almost €2,000 in a series of ATM distraction thefts.
- Two women discovered €200 missing from their accounts and reported it to gardaí.
- Where
- The first victim was an elderly woman using an ATM at the AIB branch in Dundrum Town Centre.
- A week later an elderly nun was targeted at an ATM on O'Connell Street.
- When
- The thefts took place on dates between July and December 2025.
- Cause
- Zinca said he carried out the thefts to send money to his sick grandmother in Romania.
- Other details
- Zinca used leaflets to cover the cash dispensing area while he distracted victims.
- Defence counsel said Zinca made a full apology and his family brought €2,000 to court to reimburse the victims.
- Investigation
- Zinca was identified from CCTV.
- Charges
- Zinca was arrested in January 2026.
- In court
- Zinca pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to seven counts of theft at ATMs totalling €1,940.
- The court heard that Zinca has similar previous convictions in Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and Germany.
- The judge said the thefts were planned and part of an organised strategy.
- In mitigation, the judge considered Zinca's co-operation, admissions, guilty pleas and prior work history.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a five-year sentence with the final six months suspended for two years, which the Irish Times reports as jailed for four and a half years.
- The sentence was backdated to January 2026, when Zinca went into custody.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatZinca stole almost €2,000 in a series of ATM distraction thefts. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBoth women discovered €200 missing from their accounts and reported it to gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe first victim was an 80-year-old woman using an ATM at the AIB branch in Dundrum Town Centre. (irishtimes.com)
- whereA week later an 80-year-old nun was targeted at an ATM on O'Connell Street. (irishtimes.com)
- causeZinca said he carried out the thefts to send money to his sick grandmother in Romania. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationZinca was identified from CCTV. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeZinca was arrested in January 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- courtZinca pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft at ATMs totalling €1,940. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court heard that Zinca has similar previous convictions in Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and Germany. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said the thefts were planned and part of an organised strategy. (irishtimes.com)
- courtIn mitigation, the judge considered Zinca's co-operation, admissions, guilty pleas and prior work history. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a five-year sentence with the final six months suspended for two years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to January 2026, when Zinca went into custody. (irishtimes.com)
- otherZinca used leaflets to cover the cash dispensing area while he distracted victims. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDefence counsel said Zinca made a full apology and his family brought €2,000 to court to reimburse the victims. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Oct2026Man stole nearly €2,000 in ATM distraction thefts where victims included an elderly nun
Sentencing report: Zinca pleaded guilty to seven counts of ATM theft, was sentenced to five years with six months suspended, backdated to January 2026. Details of his modus operandi, victims, prior convictions in four countries, and mitigating/aggravating factors provided.
convicted, Levers Zinca, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Levers Zincavictim, 80, femalevictim, 80