Thursday 29 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. 7299Theft (alleged accommodation fraud) · Co. Dublin

Trial date fixed for two charged over alleged south Dublin accommodation fraud

A man, Michael Ward, in his early thirties, and a woman, Melissa Collins, in her mid-twenties, are accused of stealing about €15,000 from international students in an alleged accommodation fraud in south Dublin. The alleged thefts took place on dates in July, August and September 2022, and the two were arrested in September 2022 and later charged following a Garda investigation in Blackrock, Co Dublin. The accused were listed for arraignment in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where defence counsel said a trial date would be required. The judge fixed July 14th, 2025, as the trial date, expected to last four to five days, and both accused were remanded on continuing bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Michael Ward and Melissa Collins face charges of theft of about €15,000 linked to an alleged accommodation fraud.
Where
The alleged accommodation fraud took place in south Dublin.
When
The alleged thefts occurred on dates in July, August and September 2022.
Other details
  • The alleged thefts were from international students.
  • Michael Ward is in his early thirties and Melissa Collins is in her mid-twenties.
Investigation
The two were arrested in September 2022 following a Garda investigation in Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Charges
The two were later charged with theft.
In court
  • The accused were listed for arraignment in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
  • Defence counsel told Judge Orla Crowe that a trial date would be required.
  • The judge fixed July 14th, 2025, as the trial date, with the trial expected to last four to five days.
  • Both accused were remanded on continuing bail.
Sentence
No verdict or sentence has been reported.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe two accused face charges of theft of about €15,000 linked to an alleged accommodation fraud in south Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged thefts were from international students on dates in July, August and September 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe two were arrested in September 2022 and later charged following a Garda investigation in Blackrock, Co Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused were listed in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for arraignment. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDefence counsel told the court that a trial date would be required. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is expected to last four to five days. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge fixed July 14th, 2025, as the trial date. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth accused were remanded on continuing bail. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Trial date fixed for two charged over alleged south Dublin accommodation fraud

    Reports that a man and a woman are charged with theft of about €15,000 from international students in 2022, that they were arraigned, and that a trial is set for July 14th, 2025, expected to last four to five days.

    accused, Michael Ward, early thirties, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Wardaccused, Melissa Collins, mid-twenties, female, named, irish (judged from name)Melissa Collins