Man charged with thefts across four counties

A Romanian national, with registered addresses both in Ireland and abroad, has appeared via video link before Monaghan District Court, facing over a dozen charges related to thefts across four counties.

Ioan Muntean (41), who is accused of a series of deceptive and theft-related offences spanning nearly seven months, was charged with 13 counts of making a gain or causing a loss by deception, and three counts of theft from shops.

Mr Muntean's charges include deception, where he allegedly handed over money before attempting to retrieve it, leaving stores with extra funds.

Mr Muntean appeared before a special sitting of Cavan District Court on Wednesday, October 29, where Garda objections to bail were presented. Gardaí expressed concerns under the O'Callaghan rules, suggesting that Mr Muntean might be a flight risk and could potentially re-offend if released.

With a charge sheet address of Williamstown Place, Dundalk, Co Louth, Mr Muntean is charged with deception by handing over money before attempting to take back the payment, causing confusion and leaving with €300 extra at Foy's Supervalu, Market Street, Cootehill, on October 27, 2025.

Other charges relate to similar type deception offences at Cumiskey's Supervalu, Fermanagh Street, Clones on October 26, where the loss was €900; at Homesavers in Monaghan Town on the same date (loss €400); at Centra, Castleblayney Road, Ballybay on October 25 (€200); at Smyth's Newsagents, The Square, Ballybay, where he allegedly took photos of two phone top-up receipts (€30) and left without paying on October 21; at Lidl in Carrickmacross on October 13 (€500); Lidl, Castleblayney on October 12 (€300); Centra, Main Street, Blackrock, Co Louth on September 9 (€200); Watters Filling Station, Castleblayney on July 28 (€300); an alleged sleight of hand offence that resulted in paying less for items at Applegreen Service Station, Julianstown, Co Meath, on July 20; Hughes' Shop, Castleblayney on July 16 (€200); Eurospar, Cloughvalley Upper, Carrickmacross on May 5; and Supervalu, Old Dublin Road, Blackrock, Co Louth (€300) on March 7.

He is also charged with the alleged theft of groceries from Centra in Castleblayney on October 25, 2025 (208.57); at Smyth's Newsagents, The Square, Ballybay (items worth €11.95) on October 21; and Fon World, York Street, Castleblayney, where he stole two phones- an iPhone i5 and Samsung S23- on October 17.

The Cavan court was told that gardaí fear that Mr Muntean presents as a flight risk because outside of the court, when speaking to the defendant's father, it was indicated that the accused intended on travelling back to Romania to be with a sick grandparent.

It was noted that married dad of nine Mr Muntean had three addresses - two in Dundalk, and another in the UK to which a car he was seen travelling in as a passenger is registered to.

During the hearing, Mr Muntean’s solicitor, Ger Nevin, asked the Gardaí whether there were any conditions his client could offer to ensure his compliance with bail. However, Gardaí maintained their objections, citing the risk of flight and reoffending.

He also suggested there exists “some confusion” - perhaps due to the language barrier - over what was said about Mr Muntean returning to his native Romania. Mr Nevin denied that this was his client's intentions.

Mr Muntean, who appeared visibly emotional during the proceedings, took the stand to deny any intention to return to Romania.

However, after carefully considering the evidence and the application for bail, Judge Erin McKiernan ruled to deny bail. She cited the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the evidence, and Gardaí’s concerns about Mr Muntean’s potential flight risk.

The case was adjourned to Monaghan District Court last Monday, where Mr Muntean was again remanded in custody to appear again in another two weeks.