Two women from West Dublin have avoided jail for stealing formula and baby products from Tesco in Tallaght, while a third will have the case against her discharged on condition of a donation to the poor box.
Alina Muntean (21), of Westbourne Close, Clondalkin, Flora Muntean (27), of Boot Road, Clondalkin, and Sabina Munteanu (47), of Westbourne Close, Clondalkin, all pleaded guilty to stealing goods worth €290 from Tesco at The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght, on September 25, 2025.
Garda Brian Fogarty told Judge Peter White at Tallaght District Court that the women were detained by security staff after passing all points of payment without paying for the items.
CCTV footage was reviewed and the stolen goods, which mainly consisted of baby formula and baby products, were recovered and returned to the store.
One of the women was arrested at the scene. The other two, who had children with them at the time, were allowed attend a garda station the following day.
In mitigation, Sarah Patton BL told the court that Alina Muntean had no previous convictions, had fully cooperated with gardaí and had attended the station as arranged.
Counsel said her client was remorseful, had entered an early guilty plea and wished to apologise for her actions.
Judge Peter White was told that a conviction could have serious consequences for the 21-year-old.
The judge directed Muntean to make a €200 donation to the court poor box and remanded the matter until September 4, next, when he said he would apply the Probation Act.
Ms Patton said Flora Muntean was “incredibly remorseful” and had accepted responsibility for her actions from the outset.
The court heard she has two previous convictions, including one for theft, and is the mother of three children aged five, four and three months.
Judge White convicted her, imposed a four-month prison sentence suspended in full for 24 months and fined her €200, with six months to pay.
Turning to Sabina Munteanu, Ms Patton said her client had lived in Ireland for 24 years, was remorseful and had entered an early guilty plea in an effort to put the matter behind her.
The court heard Munteanu has two previous convictions, one for theft and one for begging, and is the mother of five adult children who still live at home.
Judge White said Munteanu should have been “leading by example and clearly wasn’t”.
He convicted Munteanu, imposed a four-month prison sentence suspended in full for 24 months and fined her €200, with six months to pay.