Man (55) charged over theft of cash from church collection boxes

A man has been remanded on bail after he was charged with stealing cash from locked collection boxes in churches by fishing out envelopes with a wire hook.

Chilimbar Vasile (55), a Romanian national, was charged with five thefts from churches in Co Cork and Co Waterford when he was brought before Mallow District Court on Tuesday.

Mr Vasile, with an address at Eagle Valley, Sarsfield Road, Wilton, Cork, was charged with thefts from churches in Carrigtwohill, Shanagarry and Cloyne in Co Cork and from a church in Dungarvan in Co Waterford.

He was charged with the theft of €15 from St Mary's Church, Carrigtwohill on January 23rd and another €15 from St Mary's Church, Carrigtwohill on January 24th, both sums being the property of parish priest, Fr Patrick Winkle.

He was also charged with the theft of €5 from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Shanagarry on November 21st last and the theft of €5 from St Colman's Church, Cloyne on January 23rd, both sums being the property of parish priest, Fr Patrick Linehan.

Mr Vasile was also charged with a fifth count of the theft of €5 from St Augustine's Church, Abbeyside in Dungarvan, Co Waterford on January 15th, the money being the property of Fr Ned Hassett.

Bail conditions

Det Garda David Kelleher had no objection to Mr Vasile being bailed once he adhered to a number of strict bail conditions and defence solicitor David O'Meara said his client was willing to abide by the terms sought by gardaí.

Det Garda Kelleher said gardaí wanted Mr Vasile to sign on daily at Togher Garda station and stay out of Carrigtwohill, Cloyne, Shanagarry and Dungarvan and stay out of churches in the area.

He said that the investigation was ongoing and there may be further charges brought against Mr Vasile and he applied for a six week adjournment to allow for the Director of Public Prosecution’s directions in the case.

Judge Patricia Harney granted the state application and remanded Mr Vasile on his own bond of €100 to appear again at Midleton District Court on March 11th. She also granted Mr Vasile free legal aid.