Renowned horse coach Ion Barbolescu, a Romanian native aged 34, found himself sentenced to 30 months imprisonment after resorting to theft suppressed by a burgeoning drug addiction during the Coronavirus outbreak. He inevitably became jobless and homeless, leading to his criminal leap.
The skilled trainer pleaded guilty in Cork Circuit Criminal Court for two burglary incidents, wherein he unlawfully swiped around €30,000 worth of electronic gadgets from the CEX Store located at the Grand Parade in Cork. The thefts were reported to happen on January 11th, 2022, and May 8th, 2022.
The court heard from Garda Paul Dromey detailing that the perpetrator entered the establishment through a roof-hole at dawn on January 11th, escaping with €17,000 in mobile devices and laptops. Another entry through the wall on May 8th led to another looting worth €14,000.
Garda Dromey mentioned their extensive analysis of CCTV recordings, which led to the identification of a repeat offender. Investigations spiralled, revealing five identical thefts across different CEX stores – two in Dublin, two in Clare, and one in Mayo.
After rigorous surveillance protocols, authorities finally apprehended Barbolescu, and he was questioned by Cork gardaí on August 23rd, 2023. Quickly he admitted his role in the Cork thefts, eventually submitting a guilty plea against his charges on December 19th, 2023.
Defence barrister, Mahon Corkery’s cross-examination led Garda Dromey to agree that Barbolescu specifically strategized his illegal activities during the quiet wee hours, ensuring the stores were devoid of staff to avoid confrontation or distress. It was testified that Barbolescu took the initiative to inform the Limerick prison authorities about his intent to confess to the crimes in Cork. The court confirmed that the defendant had a criminal record of 17 instances, including five for burglary.
Requesting mercy, Mr. Corkery, acting in defence, emphasised that his client had shown cooperation with the Gardaí, confessing fully during the questioning process. Moreover, by choosing to admit guilt via an officially signed confession at an early stage, his client saved the state from unnecessary trial costs.
He further illustrated the backstory of Barbolescu, who, being a certified horse trainer from Romania, migrated to Ireland in 2008. He had been employed at several places such as Dublin, Kildare, Connemara and for a substantial period of five years in Meath, until the pandemic cost him his job and living space.
Barbolescu’s unfortunate circumstances led him to reside in a Dublin hostel, sharing sleeping quarters with multiple other homeless individuals, some grappling with substance abuse. Sadly, he himself developed an addiction to crack cocaine, leading him to resort to criminal activities to support his destructive habit.
Judge Helen Boyle recognised Barbolescu’s cooperation with the Gardaí and his early admission of guilt, but also emphasised the severity of his crimes. His modus operandi of targeting similar properties was duly noted, as well as the fact none of the stolen items had been recovered.
Critical factors in this case, she declared, include the substantial volume of stolen property and the fact the premises were situated centrally in the city. She stressed the importance of maintaining a secure environment for the thriving and diverse business community, which should not have to bear the threat of such illicit operations.
To reflect the gravity of his deeds, Judge Boyle mentioned a headline sentence of five years, but offered to reduce this to three and a half years acknowledging his admission of guilt. To encourage rehabilitation, she decided to suspend the final year, leaving Barbolescu with two and a half years to serve.