Two Dublin men are facing charges in connection with a series of vehicle thefts across Ireland, allegedly carried out through the use of fraudulent payment confirmations. Edward Collins, 21, and Sean Hutchinson, 24, appeared in Dublin District Court on Saturday facing a total of 37 charges.
Allegations of Nationwide Theft
The allegations center around the theft of vehicles advertised for sale on online marketplaces, specifically DoneDeal and Facebook Marketplace. It is alleged that between June 27th and October 15th, the pair targeted sellers in eleven counties: Dublin, Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Kilkenny, Kildare, Wexford, Offaly, Tipperary, Laois, and Louth.
The charges include the theft of seven motorcycles and two cars – a BMW and a Ford Focus – as well as fuel thefts from filling stations. Sean Hutchinson faces additional allegations related to a burglary in Lucan and the theft of four more motorbikes, along with three additional cars: an Audi A4, a Toyota Yaris, and a Volkswagen Golf.
Court Proceedings and Bail Decisions
Gardaí Ian Galvin and Sean Egan, of Pearse Street station, stated in court that neither defendant responded when charged. Objections to bail were raised due to the seriousness of the case. Edward Collins was remanded in custody with consent to bail of €30,000. Sean Hutchinson deferred his bail application.
Garda Egan testified that Collins allegedly contacted sellers using someone else’s identity and documents, and is believed to be connected to a criminal organisation. The court heard that Collins would allegedly present fabricated images of completed bank transfers on his phone to convince sellers to hand over the vehicles.
Defence counsel Kevin McCrave argued that Collins’s family would support him and that he would adhere to bail conditions. Judge Paula Murphy granted Collins bail on his own bond of €10,000, with a €20,000 independent surety still pending approval. He is subject to a curfew and is prohibited from leaving Dublin.
Next Steps
Both men have been granted legal aid and are scheduled to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday. The Director of Public Prosecutions will need to provide instructions regarding the case, and it is anticipated that the matter may be transferred to the Circuit Court, which possesses broader sentencing powers. It is possible that further charges will be brought, potentially increasing the total value of the alleged thefts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges are the men facing?
Edward Collins faces 13 charges, while Sean Hutchinson faces 24 charges, relating to vehicle thefts, fuel thefts, and burglary.
Where did the alleged thefts take place?
The alleged thefts occurred in Dublin, Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Kilkenny, Kildare, Wexford, Offaly, Tipperary, Laois, and Louth.
How were the vehicles allegedly stolen?
It is alleged that the men used fake payment confirmations, simulating bank transfers, to deceive sellers into handing over their vehicles.
As this case progresses through the courts, what measures can online marketplaces take to better protect their users from similar fraudulent activity?
