Two men who robbed two Co Donegal jewellery shops were left stunned after discovering they escaped with nothing more than dozens of empty boxes.
The men tried to steal a large consignment of watches from Mc Cullagh Jewellers in Letterkenny on January 17th last.
The pair entered the shop on Letterkenny’s Main Street and escaped with a number of boxes of what they thought contained thousands of euros worth of items.
However, the men had mistakenly taken the wrong boxes all of which were completely empty
The pair, both Russian nationals, were later arrested after being captured on CCTV and identified by Gardai.
They appeared at Letterkenny District Court where they were both charged with a number of theft offences.
Andrejs Hincenbergs and Dmitrijs Antosevskis are both charged that on January 17th at McCullagh’s Jewellers on Main Street in Letterkenny on January 17th, 2024 , did steal property to wit 20 cardboard watch boxes to the value of €50, the property of McCullagh’s Jewellers.
Both men are also charged that on the same date at McCullagh’s Jewellers at Letterkenny Shopping Centre did steal property to wit leather watch boxes valued at €150, the property of McCullagh’s Jewellers.
The accused, both with addresses at Cluain Ard, Letterkenny, are also charged that on January 18th at Costcutters, Killylastin, Letterkenny, did steal groceries to the value of €28.50.
The mens’ solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said the men both admitted the offences and apologised to the court.
He said both had now planned to leave the country and return to Russia.
Judge Ciaran Liddy said this was an opportunist crime which could have been a lot more serious if the boxes had contained watches.
He sentenced both men to six months in prison but suspended the sentences in full for a period of six months.
If the men come before the court again during that time their six month sentence will be activated.