Romanian teen '˜stole wallet from man found dead at Londonderry walls'

A Romanian man has appeared in court accused of stealing a wallet from a man who was found dead at Londonderry's city walls.
Conall Kerrigan died in August of last yearConall Kerrigan died in August of last year
Conall Kerrigan died in August of last year

Conall Kerrigan was found dead in August last year. It is believed the 25-year-old fell from the walls in the early hours of the morning following a night out.

Londonderry Magistrates’ Court heard allegations that 19-year-old Costica Munteanu is part of an “organised crime gang” operating in Londonderry and Belfast which targets “vulnerable victims”.

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Munteanu, with an address in Tallaght, Dublin, is charged with robbery of Mr Kerrigan’s wallet on August 23.

The teen is further charged with the theft of iPhones from two women on August 22.

The court was told Munteanu has made full admissions to the offences.

An investigating officer said an investigation was launched by police following the disappearance of Mr Kerrigan.

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CCTV was viewed as part of this investigation which showed Mr Kerrigan being robbed by two males.

Two thefts were reported around the same time and it is alleged the CCTV made it “quite obvious” the same men were involved.

The officer told the court police in the area were unable to identify these men and stills from the footage were sent to the media.

She added that Gardai then provided police with the men’s identity.

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Opposing bail, the officer said police fear Munteanu may flee the country as he does not have an address or any ties to Northern Ireland.

She told the court the second male has already done this.

The officer said police have fears the 19-year-old will commit further offences.

There was no application for bail and Munteanu was remanded in custody to appear in court via video link on March 3.