DUBLIN, Ireland: A Romanian national who worked as a refuse worker has been accused of targeting mainly elderly women, including a nun, during a series of distraction thefts at ATMs around Dublin.

Levers Zinca, 30, who has lived in Ireland since 2016, was in tears at Dublin District Court on January 26, charged with seven ATM distraction thefts across Dublin.

The prosecution claimed the defendant stole nearly 1,920 euros in seven incidents between May and December 2025, and that this was a pattern of offences.

While objecting to Zinca's bail, Garda Oisín Burke told Judge Michele Finan that the accused, whose address is Synnott Place, Dublin 7, had been challenging to locate and had spent time abroad. The accused maintained he left his home at 4 a.m. to work at his part-time job.

Garda Burke cited the seriousness of the offences.

He alleged that on the afternoon of May 3, at Jervis Shopping Centre, Dublin 1, the accused "distracted" an 89-year-old man attempting to withdraw 200 euros and fled with the cash.

The court heard that on June 30 at around 2 p.m., at Bank of Ireland, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, the suspect approached a woman, aged 83. In this incident, it was alleged that he distracted the woman and snatched 200 euros from her before fleeing.

Garda Burke maintained that on July 15, at AIB, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14, at around midday, the accused distracted an 80-year-old woman as she withdrew funds and stole 200 euros from her. There were other similar incidents where he targeted the elderly and stole money from them after diverting their attention.

The court watched the CCTV video that showed Zinca had committed the crimes.

His lawyer, Donal Quigley, said Zinca should be treated as innocent and that he has a fixed home with his family, which his employer confirmed. The lawyer also gave the court his payslips as proof of work.

Zinca has not yet said whether he is guilty.

Zinca, who works in waste collection and has three children, told the court he came to Ireland to work and support his family. He said he had gone to England to visit one of his children who lives there.

The lawyer said the offences were said to have happened over seven months and should be handled in the District Court. But the police said they want the case to go to the Circuit Court, which can give longer sentences.

The judge refused bail to Zinca.

Zinca was given legal aid and kept in custody. He will return to Cloverhill District Court this week to receive instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.