Three software engineers described as “ambitious” have admitted to stealing over €3,500 worth of merchandise during a series of thefts from Ikea in Dublin, reports Breaking News.
Monnisha Nimma (27), Sai Radhika Kavuri (32), and Sri Ravikiran Garimella (34), all residing at Station Walk in Newbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty on Friday to stealing from Ikea’s Ballymun branch on three occasions in January.
Detective Garda Anthony Galbraith told Dublin District Court that on January 11th, 18th, and 25th, the two women, Mr Garimella, and two unidentified individuals left the store with large amounts of unpaid goods, reports Breaking News.
They left with items worth €1,350 on two occasions and €852 on the third. Following investigations, the detective searched their shared residence on February 16 and recovered a large portion of the stolen goods. One of the accused was arrested and gave a full confession.
The other two later presented themselves at Ballymun Garda Station with additional stolen property, reports Breaking News.
Detective Galbraith said the total value of recovered items was €3,526 and that most of the goods were in a saleable state. He noted the defendants were cooperative, admitted their wrongdoing, and that such behavior was unusual.
Judge Patricia Cronin observed that none of the three had prior convictions or any record of police involvement, reports Breaking News.
It was noted in court that had the value of goods been lower, they might have been eligible for an adult caution rather than a criminal prosecution.
Their solicitor, Carol Slattery, explained that the defendants were Indian nationals who came to Ireland around five years ago. They are currently employed as full-time software engineers with valid work visas, reports Breaking News.
Ms Slattery said the three were intelligent and career-focused individuals who hoped to become Irish citizens — a goal now jeopardized by the case. She said they fully recognized the gravity of their actions, were remorseful, and wanted to make amends.
Calling their actions “foolishness of the highest order,” the solicitor added that the trio were unlikely to offend again and requested the court to consider a restorative justice path due to their clean records and guilty pleas, reports Breaking News.
Detective Galbraith said he had already contacted Ikea, which had previously taken part in restorative justice efforts and was willing to do so again.
Judge Cronin welcomed Ikea’s willingness, commenting that it was rare for victims to agree to such a process.
She postponed the case until July to allow for a probation report assessing their suitability for the programme — completion of which could potentially spare them from receiving criminal convictions, reports Breaking News.
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