Ukrainian refugee fined for shoplifting at Waterford District Court
Waterford courthouse.
A Ukrainian refugee has been fined €450 for shoplifting.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft at a sitting of Waterford District Court before Judge Kevin Staunton.
The court was told that the man took property from Aldi in City Square on three occasions in September and October 2025.
The property was not recovered, and the defendant was identified from CCTV.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor John O’Donoghue told the court that his client later paid a total of €119 for the items.
He said his client was a 51-year-old qualified mechanic and is on Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Mr O’Donoghue said his client does not know why he committed the offence and suspects that he suffers from PTSD related to the war in his home.
He said that there was “no reason for it” and that his client is very sorry.
Judge Staunton pointed out that while the thefts are minor, there are three and the defendant had only been in the country 12 months.
He imposed a €150 fine for each offence and gave him four months to pay.
