A defence solicitor claimed that theft was “not a very serious matter . . . in Romania, ” at a district court in Kerry, during a bail hearing for his 25-year-old client.

Daniel Victor Marcu of Fountain Court, Ballinorig, Tralee, Co Kerry, appeared in custody at Tralee District Court on foot of a bench warrant. There had been a number of bench warrants for his arrest as he had not turned up in court in Limerick on previous occasions to face the charge, Garda Kevin Lynch told Tralee District Court, where the State was objecting to bail.

Solicitor Pat Mann said his client’s English was “not too good,” and the court was told it had no Romanian interpreter.

However, Mr Lynch said Mr Marcu’s English was “not too bad”.

Mr Marcu was then sworn in and asked to explain why a number of bench warrants had to be issued for him and why he had failed to turn up in court previously.

Mr Marcu said there had been confusion between himself and his solicitor in Limerick.

When asked by Mr Mann if he would turn up in future, Mr Marcu said “I promise”.

Judge James O’Connor then asked gardaí what the charge against the defendant was and was told it was “theft”.

Mr Mann presented his case for his client’s release and then said: “It’s not a very serious matter . . . in Romania.”

Judge James O’Connor remanded the accused in custody to appear in court in Limerick on Friday.

Daniel Victor Marcu is charged with the theft of a white iPhone 4s, valued at €579, at Meteor Mobiles, Crescent Shopping Centre, Limerick on February 9th, 2013.