Kildare chef charged with 15 thefts gets chance
Some of the theft took place in Kildare Village
“HAVE you ever met one of those spoofers?” asked a judge rhetorically, as he gave a chance to a shoplifter with 17 previous convictions, who faced a further 15 charges last week (24 March).
Facing the charges was Antonio Santiro (52), with an address given as Loughminane Green, Kildare Town, but was presently residing in the Peter McVerry Trust, Kerdiffstown House, Naas.
Sergeant Dave Hanrahan got through a ream of charge sheets in his hand, which included thefts from Kildare Village, Kildare Town, North Main Street, and the Fairgreen in Naas on a raft of dates between 6 September 2024, and 5 June 2025, valued in total at €1,090.
“Some items were recovered,” he added.
He told the court that Mr Santiro had 17 previous convictions, four of which were for theft, and the most recent of which was from Trim District Court on 20 January.
“There were quite a number of food products taken, and the items taken from Kildare Village were to be sold for food,” said defence solicitor Chloe Donegan.
“He tells me he is not under the influence of drink or drugs, just hungry. He’s 52-years-old, and was working up until two years ago as a chef in a takeaway.
"He is currently residing in Kerdiffstown House, and has two children, one aged 18 years old, and the other only nine months.”
“Is he in a relationship with the mother of the younger child?” asked the judge.
"Not any longer, but they are still friends,” said Ms Donegan. "It is a sad state of affairs."
“If he’s a qualified chef, it should be easy to get work, everybody’s always crying out for chefs,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan.
The judge then asked Santiro were in Italy he was from, and he replied: “the north – Bologna”.
“I’d imagine the shopkeepers around Kildare would be delighted to see the back of him,” said the judge, before turning back to Ms Donegan.
“Can you see any light at the end of his tunnel? I can’t,” he stated flatly.
Ms Donegan then told the court that he carries his CV around with him, and had given her a copy, “as well as some prospective employers”.
The judge asked to see the CV, and to "name a few of them prospective employers”.
However, after a very brief perusal of his wallet, Mr Santiro couldn’t produce the CV, and generalised: “Everyone!” when referring to his application. This brought the wry smile back to Judge Zaidan.
“Have you ever met one of those spoofers?” he remarked.
"I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I’ll put him on a probation bond for 12 months,” he said to Ms Donegan.
He warned: “if he comes back before me he will go to jail for two years”.
“That’s very fair, said Ms Donegan.
