Sunday 1 November 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. 22294Burglary · Co. Laois

Three charged with golf club burglaries across Laois and other counties appear at Tullamore District Court

Mihaela Calin (35), her fiancé Daniel Manea (28) and Daniel Matei (19), all of Ashbourne, Co Meath, appeared in custody at Tullamore District Court charged with 30 counts of burglary at golf clubs and driving ranges across several counties over a six-day period. Bail was granted to Ms Calin but refused to the two men, and all three were remanded to reappear on 22 February 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested19 Feb
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree men were arrested in connection with the burglaries. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe burglaries involved golf clubs in Laois and elsewhere in the midlands. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThree people were charged with burglaries at golf clubs across multiple counties (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe arrests took place in Ashbourne, County Meath. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe accused are all from Brookville, Hunters Lane, Ashbourne, Co Meath (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe burglaries took place at Portumna, Birr, Roscrea, Rathdowney, Barna and Athenry Golf Clubs, and driving ranges in Loughrea and Athlone (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe arrests occurred on Thursday 16 February 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences were committed over a six-day period (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe arrests were made as part of Operation Thor by Gardaí from the Laois/Offaly and Meath Divisions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA search was carried out at a premises in Ashbourne. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationTwo vehicles were seized during the search operation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Brian Jennings of Birr Garda Station opposed bail for all three (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeMs Calin was charged with two counts of burglary (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeMr Manea was charged with 11 counts of burglary (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeMr Matei was charged with 17 counts of burglary (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe three men are due to appear before Tullamore District Court on Monday morning. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe three appeared in custody before Judge Andrew Cody in Tullamore District Court (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Cody granted bail to Ms Calin subject to her own bond of €100, an independent surety of €5,000, a curfew between 8pm and 6am, and surrender of her passport (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtMs Calin must sign on at Ashbourne Garda Station three times a week if admitted to bail (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Cody refused bail to Mr Matei due to the seriousness of the charges, the evidence, and the likely sentence (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtBail was also refused to Mr Manea (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtAll three were remanded to appear at Tullamore District Court on Wednesday 22 February 2023 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Cody said he would decide on legal aid applications for the three on 22 February (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherOperation Thor was launched by Gardaí in 2015 to reduce burglaries by targeting criminals who take advantage of darker winter evenings. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherDet Jennings said Ms Calin had entered the country on 10 February to commit the burglaries (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she had been living and working in Ireland for a number of years (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherMs Calin is a mother of three with schoolgoing-age children (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherMs Calin works part-time doing deliveries for Amazon (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherMr Matei had been in Ireland for 14 months and worked at a Panda recycling facility (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Feb2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Court appearances after raids on golf clubs in Laois and other counties

    First court appearance of the three accused; bail decisions made; remanded to reappear 22 February 2023.

    accused, Mihaela Calin, 35, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mihaela Calinaccused, Daniel Manea, 28, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Maneaaccused, Daniel Matei, 19, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Matei
  2. 19 Feb2023
    Arrestedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Men due in court over Laois sports club burglaries

    Reports the arrest of three men in connection with golf club burglaries in Laois and their upcoming court appearance at Tullamore District Court.

    suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 20s, malesuspect, late teens, male