Despite, having money and good jobs, Indians in Ireland are ashamed of the actions of some

Software engineers living in Ireland have admitted to stealing around €3,500 worth of IKEA furniture.

LR Monnisha Nimma (27), Sai Radhika Kavuri (32) and Sri Ravikiran Garimella (34), all of Station Walk, Newbridge, County Kildare, stole goods from Ikea. The thefts took place on three consecutive dates from Ikea in Dublin on January 11, 18 and 25, with goods worth more than €3,500. They left the store twice with items worth €852 and €1,350, respectively, and other items.

Detective Garda Anthony Galbraith told Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court that the two female defendants, Mr Garimella and two others who were not identified “took a large amount of property and failed to pay for it”. Following investigations, detectives went to their shared home on February 16 and searched it, recovering a significant portion of the loot. One person was arrested and made a full confession. Detective Garda Galbraith said two other men later arrived at Ballymun station with more stolen goods. The detective said most of the property, worth €3,526, had been recovered and was in a saleable condition. He added that they had been cooperative and “confessed their guilt with their hands up”, which he said was unusual.

Judge Cronin noted that the three defendants, who did not appear in court, had no previous convictions and had never come to the attention of the Gardaí. The court heard that, given the amount involved, all three would have been eligible for adult supervision rather than court prosecution.

Their solicitor, Carol Slattery, said their educated clients are from India and arrived in Ireland about five years ago. The court heard the defendants, who are on bail, have work visas and are full-time software engineers. However, the case described them as young and ambitious people who want to become Irish citizens, with good job prospects in the future, and this case could have serious consequences for them. The solicitor said they understood the seriousness of their situation and its consequences, and apologised and would use any opportunity to right the wrong.  

However, the solicitor argued that they were unlikely to reoffend and urged Judge Cronin to consider a restorative justice approach, taking into account their lack of previous convictions, their confession and their cooperation.

Detectives confirmed that they had already discussed the matter with Ikea; the company had agreed to participate as it had previously been involved in the restorative justice process in similar prosecutions. Detective Garda Galbraith said Ikea was happy to do so again in this case. They adjourned the case for a hearing in July on whether they would be able to include it in the probation report. Once this is completed, first-time offenders could be cleared of criminal charges.