Shot fired in Limerick store by 'unhinged' robber who sleeps with a gun by his side

A “VOLATILE and unhinged man with a propensity for extreme violence”, who sleeps with a gun by his side, fired a shot during a robbery in Limerick city with staff members fearing for their lives.

Detective Garda Enda Clifford said the accused showed “no remorse” for the staff in the shop and he had to be tasered and pepper sprayed such was his resistance to arrest.

READ MORE: Jury returns not guilty verdict in case where Clare hurler Niall Gilligan was accused of assaulting a child

Polish man David Pejas, aged 33, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to a total of five charges - having a firearm with intent to commit robbery, robbery and reckless discharge of a firearm at CEX Electronics, Cruises Street on April 8, 2024.

Pejas also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances at Ballycasey Court, Shannon on April 12, 2024. They are airguns designed to resemble Heckler and Koch USP and CZ 75 P-07 semi-automatic pistols.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court with the assistance of Det Garda Clifford.

Mr Pejas entered CEX Electronics at 10.30am on April 8, 2024 and waited until customers left.

Mr O’Sullivan said a female staff member went to assist Pejas but he was “mumbling in a language she didn't understand.”

“She apologised and sensed that this man got aggravated by this. Her supervisor came over to offer assistance and the man continued mumbling. They couldn’t understand what he was saying. They thought he was talking about a video game. He became extremely aggressive, produced a gun and pointed it directly at two staff members. 

“The female staff member thought she was going to be shot dead on the spot. She stated, ‘It's hard to explain the fear I had at that moment’. ‘I feared for my life and for the life of my colleague. I ducked down just below the level of the counter and I heard a loud bang’. She knew at that point that he had fired a gun,” said Mr O’Sulivan.

Pejas had shot at a TV hanging behind the counter.

He demanded two Apple iPhones - 13 and 15 Pro Max -but when the female went to the window where the phones were, she “froze” as she was “shaking with fear”.

The male staff member got the phones and gave them to Mr Pejas who began “screaming to give him phone chargers”.

The accused demanded cash, saying “b*****d I will shoot you”. The male employee gave him €270 and Pejas left the shop. The two iPhones cost €1,270 and €780.

Mr O’Sullivan said the two staff members were both convinced they were going to be shot.

“The female said she had nightmares, lost her appetite and went to her GP who prescribed medication to help with sleep and anxiety. She feared she wouldn’t see her family again,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Det Garda Clifford said the armed robbery had a “profound effect” on the young woman and she left her employment with CEX Electronics.

After the robbery, Pejas got a taxi to Shannon and paid the driver for the fare.

Det Gard Clifford said gardai commenced a large investigation and surveillance operation in Shannon which led to Pejas being identified as a suspect.

Gardai raided a house in Ballycasey Court, Shannon on April 12, 2024 with the assistance of the Armed Support Unit.

Mr O’Sullivan said five doors at the property had to be breached due to “resistance bands”. Det Garda Clifford said gardai hadn't encountered them before

“A taser and pepper spray had to be utilised such was the resistance we were met by Mr Pejas upon entering the bedroom,” said Det Garda Cifford.

Gardai recovered the two phones and two firearms.

Pejas made “full and frank admissions” when interviewed by gardai. He told them, “A smart man knows he doesn't have to say much when he sees panic”. 

Det Garda Clifford said Pejas told them he discharged the shot to create panic.

Pejas told gardai he was “desperate” at the time and when he is desperate, he “has to do a robbery”.

“No house, no job, no money. Now I have big problem,” Pejas told gardai.

“I should have just shown the gun. That would be enough. I should not have shot. 364 days of the year I am normal, just one day I am mad,” he said during questioning.

Pejas said he purchased the imitation firearms from a Polish military  website and got them couriered into the country concealed in clothing, wrapped in cardboard. 

“He said he was lucky to get the firearms into the jurisdiction and fully aware they are illegal,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Pejas told gardai he had been homeless for the previous two weeks and had only stayed in the house in Ballycasey Court, Shannon the previous night.

He stated he used the money he stole to pay rent, always has a gun by his side even when he is sleeping, identified himself on CCTV and acknowledged his actions were “crazy”.

Gardai asked Pejas what would he say to the two staff members now. He said the man was “very smart and cheeky” and the girl was “very scared”.

Det Garda Clifford: “There was no remorse.”

Pejas  told gardai he slept with a weapon beside him.

The court heard Pejas has seven previous convictions for robbery in Poland and Ireland, as well as thefts.

“He is somewhat volatile and unhinged with a propensity for extreme violence and there is appropriate concern for the safety of others,” said Mr O’Sullivan. Det Garda Clifford agreed. Pejas has been in custody since April 12, 2024.

READ MORE: Date fixed for appeal of the sentence received by Limerick killer of Joe Drennan

Lorcan Connolly SC, who represented Mr Pejas, said there was a gap of nine years between Pejas’ convictions for robbery in Poland and Ireland. Det Garda Clifford concurred.

Mr Connolly said one of the guns seized was described by garda ballistic experts as in poor condition.

“The shots smashed the TV screen which was hanging above the desk. Whether it was in poor condition or not, it was working well,” replied Det Garda Clifford. The detective agreed with counsel that Pejas told them he had lost his accommodation, his job and was “desperate”.

Mr Connolly said Pejas put it to the detective that it was "inevitable" his client would be caught. Det Garda Clifford agreed, saying there was “a huge amount of CCTV harvested”.

In mitigation, Mr Connolly said Pejas has no previous convictions for violence or firearms offences, made full admission to gardai and has pleaded guilty.

“I want to apologise, on Mr Pejas’ behalf, to the staff members on the day in question. This was an offence that was born out of a situation where he had lost his accommodation, his job, and was in a very precarious position. It happened in broad daylight in an area well covered with CCTV and easily detected.

“He did not conceal his identity. The court is aware of situations where somebody comes in with a moustache and fake beard, all sorts of things, and on occasion they're not located. It happened at 10.30 in the morning. It was not a sophisticated operation,” said Mr Connolly, who described Pejas as a “loner”.

“He respectfully requests leniency and mercy. He knows he is in a difficult corner,” said Mr Connolly

Judge Daly said he has much to consider and adjourned passing sentence on Pejas to a future date.