Thurles Information

Tipperary among counties hit, as two Dublin men face court over alleged DoneDeal/Facebook vehicle thefts.

Gardaí say vehicle sellers in Tipperary were among those targeted in an alleged “nationwide” series of thefts involving motorbikes and cars advertised online, with “fake” or “simulated” proof of bank transfers used to obtain vehicles.

Mr Edward Collins aged 21 years, of Collinstown Crescent, and Mr Sean Hutchinson aged 24 years, of Cooleven Green, both in Clondalkin, appeared before Dublin District Court facing 13 and 24 charges respectively. The allegations relate to the theft of vehicles valued at €49,258, taken from advertisers using DoneDeal and Facebook Marketplace.

The court heard it is alleged the pair stole vehicles from advertisers across multiple counties, with Tipperary listed among the affected areas, alongside Dublin, Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Kilkenny, Kildare, Wexford, Offaly, Laois and Louth, on dates ranging from June 27th to October 15th 2025.

Gardaí alleged the two men are jointly accused of stealing seven motorcycles, including Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda models, and two cars, a BMW and a Ford Focus, as well as fuel from filling stations.

The court was told Mr Hutchinson faces additional charges alleging he separately took part in a burglary in Lucan, during which four motorbikes were stolen, and that he is also accused of further fuel thefts and the taking of three additional cars, an Audi A4, a Toyota Yaris and a Volkswagen Golf.

Gardaí Mr Ian Galvin and Mr Sean Egan, of Pearse Street Garda Station, told Judge Ms Paula Murphy the defendants made no reply when charged. The prosecution objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the scale of the investigation.

In evidence opposing bail for Mr Collins, Garda Egan alleged the accused responded to ads and contacted vendors using another person’s identity and documents. It was claimed meetings were arranged and that Mr Collins showed sellers what appeared to be proof of a transfer on his phone before taking possession of the vehicle; however, the funds did not arrive and the image displayed was described in court as “fake” or “simulated”.

The court also heard Gardaí believe further charges may be sought, potentially bringing the value of the alleged thefts to up to €300,000, and that distress was caused to the person whose identity was allegedly used.

Mr Hutchinson deferred his bail application. Mr Collins was granted bail on a €10,000 bond, with a €20,000 independent surety (to be approved). If he takes up bail, he must comply with a curfew and is not permitted to leave Dublin. Judge Murphy said the decision to grant bail had been “borderline” and refused to reduce the amounts sought by the defence.

Both men were granted legal aid and are due to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday next, 29 January 29th 2026. The court heard directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions are required and the case is likely to be sent forward to the Circuit Court, where wider sentencing powers apply.

DoneDeal’s safety guidance warns sellers not to hand over goods solely on the basis of screenshots or “proof” shown on a phone, and to ensure payment has been received in cleared funds before completing a sale.