Four charged with €1m Hartmann’s jewellery heist

Four Lithuanian nationals who are charged with the robbery of almost €1.1 million worth of jewellery from a Galway City jewellery shop on Wednesday have been remanded in custody to appear before Harristown District Court tomorrow (Friday).

Saulius Repecka (36), Irmantas Paulauskas (37), Erikas Matusevicius (35), and Vaidas Pinelis (28), appeared in custody before Galway District Court this afternoon.

Four Gardai gave evidence of arresting the men at Galway Garda Station yesterday morning and charging each of them with the robbery of €1,099,000 million worth of jewellery and watches from Hartmann’s jeweller’s, William Street, yesterday (Wednesday)

Pinelis replied: “He understands” when the charge was put to him.

Matusevicius replied: “I have nothing to say” when the charge was put to him, while the other two men made no reply.

Two of the men made no application for bail while Detective Inspector Mick Coppinger objected to applications for bail made by Matusevicius and Pinelas.

Insp Coppinger said he was aware all four men had travelled over land from Lithuania and arrived by ferry to Ireland two days ago.

Judge Mary Fahy refused both bail applications before the court and remanded all four men in custody to appear before Harristown District Court attached to Castlerea Prison, tomorrow.