Friday 30 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. 13137Theft · Co. Dublin

Marese Craig sentenced for theft spree across Dublin city

Marese Craig, a 28-year-old woman from Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8, is alleged to have carried out a series of thefts from staff and customers in cafes, bars and hotels across Dublin city between December 2022 and 2024. The offences included taking a purse and cards from a mother visiting her sick infant in the Coombe ICU, taking a bag of medication worth €27,000 from a 75-year-old American tourist outside the Moxy Hotel, and taking €3,200 cash from the manager of Musashi restaurant on 4 March of the previous year. Gardaí interviewed her while she was in custody on other matters, and she pleaded guilty to over 20 counts of theft and related charges. The latest development, reported on 21 July 2025, is that Judge Orla Crowe sentenced her to seven and a half years in jail with the final 12 months suspended, although one report gave the term as six and a half years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Craig allegedly robbed a mother visiting her sick infant in the Coombe ICU of her purse and cards.
  • Craig allegedly robbed a 75-year-old American tourist of a bag containing €27,000 of medication outside the Moxy Hotel.
Where
  • Craig is from Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8.
  • The prosecution said Craig targeted staff and customers in cafes, bars and hotels across Dublin city.
When
  • Craig allegedly went through staff lockers at Bewleys' cafe on Grafton Street in December 2022.
  • Craig allegedly took an envelope containing €3,200 cash from the manager of Musashi restaurant on 4 March of the previous year.
  • A chef at the Leonard Hotel reported his wallet stolen on 2 June 2024.
Cause
The defence accepted that Craig's drug addiction was her motive for stealing.
Investigation
Gardaí obtained a Section 24 warrant and interviewed Craig while she was in custody on other matters.
Charges
Craig pleaded guilty to over 20 counts of theft and related charges.
In court
Judge Orla Crowe sentenced Craig, as reported on 21 July 2025.
Sentence
  • Reports differ: one gives seven and a half years and the other six and a half years, with consecutive sentences for the offending.
  • The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended on conditions including cooperation with Probation Services for 18 months after release.
Other details
  • Most of the stolen goods and cash were not recovered.
  • Craig has 191 previous convictions, including 18 for burglary and 9 for robbery.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA mother visiting her sick infant in the Coombe ICU was robbed of her purse and cards. (gript.ie)
  • whatA 75-year-old American tourist was robbed of a bag containing €27,000 of medication outside the Moxy Hotel. (gript.ie)
  • whereCraig is from Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8. (gript.ie)
  • whereAt Musashi restaurant, Craig took an envelope containing €3,200 cash from the manager. (gript.ie)
  • whenCraig went through staff lockers at Bewleys' cafe on Grafton Street in December 2022. (gript.ie)
  • whenThe Musashi theft took place on the 4th of March of the previous year. (gript.ie)
  • whenA chef at the Leonard Hotel reported his wallet stolen on 2 June 2024. (gript.ie)
  • causeThe defence accepted that Craig's drug addiction was her motive for stealing. (gript.ie)
  • investigationGardaí obtained a Section 24 warrant and interviewed Craig while she was in custody on other matters. (gript.ie)
  • chargeCraig pleaded guilty to over 20 counts of theft and related charges. (gript.ie)
  • courtJudge Orla Crowe sentenced Craig to seven and a half years in jail, with consecutive sentences for the offending. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said Craig targeted staff and customers in cafes, bars and hotels across the city. (gript.ie)
  • sentenceThe final 12 months of the sentence was suspended on conditions including Probation Services cooperation for 18 months after release. (gript.ie)
  • otherMost of the stolen goods and cash were not recovered. (gript.ie)
  • otherCraig has 191 previous convictions, including 18 for burglary and 9 for robbery. (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Jul2025
    Sentencedgript.ie, follow-up
    Thief who "plagued" Dublin sentenced - Gript

    Follow-up to an earlier Gript report of the case. The lede says six and a half years, but the body says seven and a half years with the final 12 months suspended. The thefts span from December 2022 to 2024, so no single incident date is given.

    convicted, Marese Craig, 28, female, named, irish (judged from name)Marese Craigvictim, femalevictim, 75, male, American, non-irishvictim, Alice Du, female, non-irish (judged from name)Alice Duvictim, male