Prison sentences for Limerick man who has 'impressive array of previous convictions'

Gus Gilligan, aged 42, of no fixed abode was before Limerick District Court arising from offences which occurred at several locations in the city on dates during 2024 and 2025.

Sergeant Sean Murray said the most serious offences occurred over a number of hours in the early hours of November 8, last.

He said between 2.30am and 7am, Mr Gilligan had smashed a number of glass panels on the front door of a property at Fairview Crescent, Garryowen and that he had also cracked the front windscreen of a van which was parked outside. The damage caused was estimated to be in the region of €2,300.

The incident was linked to a family dispute, solicitor Darrach McCarthy told the court, who asked that his client be given credit for his guilty plea.

The theft offences, Judge Patricia Harney was told, were committed at a number of stores in the city centre.

In one instance, Mr Gilligan stole two cups of coffee worth €6 while at another store he took items of clothing without paying for them. While the stolen property was recovered by gardai, it was not resaleable.

Sgt Murray added that on July 1 last, the defendant was caught at Island Road with a quantity of stolen property, worth €300, but that gardai have not been able to identify the owner.

Addressing the court in mitigation, Mr McCarthy said there had been a "huge amount of cooperation" on the part of his client but he acknowledged that he has a poor record, including 57 previous convictions.

He said there is "no reality" to Mr Gilligan paying compensation adding that the father-of-two suffers from a serious addiction and is effectively "destitute".

Having considered the matter and noting Mr McCarthy submissions, Judge Harney imposed a number of consecutive prison sentences, totalling five months.

In addition, she said she had to mark her displeasure over Mr Gilligan's failure to appear before the court on three separate occasions. In doing so, she imposed a further four days imprisonment.