'Was he at Electric Picnic or something?' judge asks about Offaly shoplifter

Court hears man admitted stealing washing powder from same Tullamore store twice in five days

Published 11th Sep 2026, 15:00 BST Prosecuted at Tullamore District Court on shoplifting charges | Tribune Pictures Court hears man admitted stealing washing powder from same Tullamore store twice in five days A FINE OF €300 was imposed on a man who admitted stealing from the same shop in Tullamore three times in six days.

Emanuel Covaciu (31), with an address on a charge sheet at The Square, Clara, pleaded guilty to stealing a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, worth €12, from Leavy's Centra, O'Carroll Street, Tullamore on November 21, 2024.

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Mr Covaciu also admitted stealing two boxes of washing detergent, valued at €20, from Leavy's Centra the following day and further pleaded guilty to stealing washing tablets worth €9 from the same store on November 26, 2024.

When the man appeared before Tullamore District Court he did not have a solicitor but was assisted by an interpreter.

Offaly man to compete in big seconds final in Victorian Football League Judge Andrew Cody gave the man the option of having the matter dealt with in the District Court or the Circuit Court and he elected for the District Court and then entered his guilty pleas.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that none of the property had been recovered and added that Mr Covaciu had no previous convictions.

Referring to the theft of the washing powder, Judge Cody remarked: “Was he at Electric Picnic or something?”

Mr Covaciu said he had been employed for the previous year and a half.

Judge Cody imposed a €300 fine for the theft of washing detergent on November 22 and took the other charges into consideration. He gave the man three months to pay the fine.

Another address was written down and handed in to the court by the man.