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. 4178Theft, handling stolen property · Co. Cork · 1 Dec 2025

Two Czech men remanded over shoplifting spree across north Cork

Frantisek Cureja, 27, and Patrick Mate, 29, both Czech nationals, were remanded in custody at Mallow District Court on 7 January 2026 after being charged with six theft offences at supermarkets in Mallow, Fermoy and Kanturk between 1 and 31 December 2025, and a seventh offence of handling stolen property at their rented house in Charleville on 6 January 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men were charged with six theft offences at Lidl supermarkets in Mallow, Fermoy and Kanturk and at a Tesco supermarket and a Dairygold store in Mallow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBoth men were charged with a seventh offence of handling stolen property at their rented house on 6 January 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe stolen items included alcohol, power tools, bedding and electrical devices. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe men allegedly drove off in a car fitted with false plates. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe men's address was Ballycoskery, Ballyhea, Charleville, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe thefts occurred between 1 December and 31 December 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí alleged both men were caught on CCTV at each of the five premises collecting goods in shopping trolleys and making no attempt to pay. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe men co-operated at interview and made admissions as to their participation in the various crimes. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí recovered a large proportion of the stolen items. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Miriam Walsh remanded the men in custody at Mallow District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Walsh refused bail citing the men as a flight risk and remanded them to appear again on 13 January 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNeither man made any reply to the seven charges when put to them after arrest and caution. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNeither man had secured a PPS number and could not work in Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe men arrived in Ireland on 17 November 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBoth men stated at interview that it was their intention to return to the Czech Republic. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBoth men said they were willing to surrender their passports and remain in the jurisdiction. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe men came to Ireland in mid-November to look for work and had been living on their savings. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Jan2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Two men ‘earning a living through theft’ charged over shoplifting spree

    First report of the shoplifting spree charges and the remand hearing at Mallow District Court.

    accused, Frantisek Cureja, 27, male, Czech, named, non-irishFrantisek Curejaaccused, Patrick Mate, 29, male, Czech, named, non-irishPatrick Mate