A man who is charged with robbery after a 75-year-old lady had a sentimental necklace pulled from her neck outside her home has been granted bail.
Garda Aisling Shannon gave evidence that on the 28th of July last, the elderly lady was approached outside her home in the Donnybrook area before a man unknown to her grabbed her necklace and pulled it off her.
The court heard that the incident was captured on a doorbell camera and the accused’s face was clearly visible.
Garda Shannon said that the necklace was of significant “sentimental” value to the woman as it had an ‘M’ on it in memory of her late son, Michael.
Judge Conor Fottrell heard that the accused, Gregori Malanca (42) of Walkinstown Crescent, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, has been in Ireland for eight months.
Garda Shannon objected to bail, stating that the accused, who is from Romania, poses a flight risk, and that it is also the position of An Garda Síochána that he may go on to commit crimes if released from custody.
She said that Gardaí believe the accused will continue to target “vulnerable females” of advanced years if released.
The court heard that Malanca is also charged with attempted robbery in respect of a second woman aged 62 years who Gardaí allege was approached by Malanca, who ran across the road towards her before unsuccessfully attempting to pull her necklace off.
The incident came to an end when a passing motorist beeped their horn after realising what was taking place.
The court heard that the accused was wearing light blue sports clothing and crossed the road to get to the alleged victim before retreating to a Landrover vehicle.
This offence is alleged to have taken place on the 12th of September last.
After Malanka was identified by members of An Garda Síochána, a search of his address was carried out, where clothing matching what was seen during the alleged incidents was located.
A Land Rover Freelander, which the accused confirmed was his and was not being accessed by anyone else, was seized.
Although the accused confirmed ownership, he made no admissions in respect of the alleged offending.
Garda Shannon said the accused has no fulltime job in Ireland and that he has a daughter and ex-partner in Romania which led Gardaí to view him as a flight risk.
She added that the possibility of witness interference was also of concern and that both alleged victims were “in fear” to come to court with the 75-year-old woman expressing fear that the accused knowns where she lives and had already succedded in taking a gold necklace from her.
“Both are in fear and didn’t want to attend court this morning,” she said.
Garda Shannon added that the accused has “shown that his motive is to target older women” and that “no conditions” would allay her fears.
Pleading for bail, defending counsel Andrew Vallely argued that his client’s part-time construction work amounted to a tie to the State.
Having heard the facts, Judge Fottrell said that while “the charges are very serious charges”, the court was “not satisfied” that the objections to bail had been established and that the matter “can be dealt with under strict bail conditions.”
Malanca was ordered to sign on daily at Crumlin Garda Station between 9 am and 9 pm, to surrender his passport, and not to apply for any replacement documents.
He must also stay out of Dublin 4 and provide Gardaí with a phone number.
As Malanca’s passport is at his address and must be surrendered to affect bail, he was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear before the court again on the 21st of September.