Two women who stole over €500 worth of perfume from a Clonakilty pharmacy were both sentenced to three months in prison.
Daniela Rostas (30), of Mile Stream, Shanakiel, Cork city, and Rita Muntean (21), of Corbans Square, Military Hill, Cork city, both pleaded guilty to the thefts at Clonakilty District Court.
The court heard that the two defendants were involved in stealing perfume from Harrington’s Pharmacy on Ashe Street, Clonakilty on November 10th 2024.
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Sgt Tom Mulcahy said at 4.40pm gardaí received a report of four women concealing five bottles of perfume with a total value of €506.40 who left the pharmacy without paying for the items.
Gardaí subsequently analysed CCTV recordings and arrested two of the women identified in the footage at Harte’s Spar, one of them being Ms Muntean.
They were than taken to Clonakilty Garda Station while gardaí later found the bottles of perfume in a resalable condition in a field close to the pharmacy, allegedly left there by Daniela Rostas.
The court heard that Ms Muntean has six previous convictions, five in relation to theft offences and one for criminal damage.
The defendant’s most recent theft conviction was activated on September 16th 2025 when she received a five-months prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Daniela Rostas has 29 previous convictions, including 17 for theft, the most recent one saw her placed on a nine-months’ Probation Order on November 11th 2024.
She also received a five-months prison sentence on October 15th 2024 from Clonmel Court.
Defence solicitor Dennis Healy said on the day of the offence, his clients met up with two other Roma women in Clonakilty.
‘They knew them only by their dress. They did not know their names but believe they were from Dublin,’ he said.
Mr Healy said his clients had been ‘egged on’ by the two other women to commit the thefts.
He added that Ms Muntean was the mother of a two-year-old child.
Judge Joanne Carroll said she had no other option but to send Ms Muntean to jail for three months because of her prior suspended prison sentence.
‘She’s living in Cork and came down to Clonakilty to steal. Your conviction got suspended and within eight weeks, in a concerted effort, you stole luxury perfume,’ said Judge Carroll.
She sent Ms Muntean back to Cork Circuit Cork on Monday, December 22nd, in relation to her suspended sentence, remanded her on bail with €100 to pay for her own bail bond.
Daniela Rostas was also given a three-months prison sentence.
Judge Carroll fixed recognisance to appeal for both defendants, of €100 of their own bond while also granting legal aid.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
