Limerick man charged with burglary at closed €30m International Rugby Museum

A MAN has been charged with a burglary at the €30m International Rugby Museum site which has lain idle since its closure last Christmas.

The accused - Kenneth Sheehan, aged 39, of Shanabooley Road, Ballynanty, Limerick city - was also charged with possession of a knife at Shannon Street in the city.

READ NEXT: Vehicle torched in arson attack in Limerick housing estate

Liam Carroll, barrister for Mr Sheehan, made an application for bail on behalf of his client at a special court sitting in Kilmallock. Inspector Gearoid Thompson, prosecuting, objected to bail being granted.

Garda James Mullins said the alleged offences occurred on October 24, 2025.

“It will be alleged that at 7.12pm a male wearing black clothing and a green hat entered the International Rugby Museum offices at 2 Cecil Street by breaking a ground floor window. The male ransacked the offices and took a number of items including three sets of keys, Limerick Going for Gold badges and a bag full of flags.

“Gardai arrived at the scene and observed a male exiting a property by the front door. Gardai apprehended this male who identified himself as Kenneth Sheehan. During the course of a search, keys and badges were located on his person. While being searched he informed gardai he was inside the building,” alleged Garda Mullins.

The investigating garda further alleged that the immediate vicinity around Mr Sheehan was searched and a Stanley knife was located in a recycling bin, alongside other items from the rugby museum.   

“Mr Sheehan stated the knife belonged to him. During an interview in Henry Street, he made admissions to entering the building and taking a Stanley knife, badges and keys,” said Garda Mullins.

The garda alleged Mr Sheehan is addicted to crack cocaine and committed this offence to garner funds to fuel his addiction.

The garda alleged it his “strong belief if Mr Sheehan is granted bail, he will commit further burglaries to fuel his addiction”.

Mr Carroll BL put it to Garda Mullins that Mr Sheehan told gardai he entered the property through an open window. “That’s what he said in an interview, yes,” said Garda Mullins.

Mr Carroll asked Garda Carroll if the knife was found discarded.

“It was found in the vicinity and he admitted taking it from the property,” said Garda Mullins.

Mr Carroll put it to the garda that his client took the knife from the property and didn’t have it for any ulterior purposes or any intent.

“I can’t answer that,” said Garda Mullins.

Mr Carroll said his client has been on methadone for an extensive period of time and usually abides by his methadone regime.

“His instructions to me are that there is some dispute or acrimony locally where he lives in Ballynanty that has left him in a situation in recent days where he wasn't able to avail of his methadone, and unfortunately relied on prescription medication which didn’t suit him and that led him to finding himself in the position that he did,” said Mr Carroll.

“He didn’t indicate that to me,” said Garda Mullins.

In a submission, Mr Carroll said there was no engagement with any person in the course of the alleged burglary and it was a commercial premises. 

“The possession of the knife relates to a knife, which had been discarded, which he says he had taken from the International Rugby Museum offices. Mr Sheehan instructs me that if he is granted bail, he would put in place measures to ensure he would adhere to his methadone regime and not put himself in such a precarious situation once again,” said Mr Carroll.

Judge Patricia Harney said Mr Sheehan comes before the court an innocent man and the presumption of innocence always remains until conviction.

The judge refused the application for bail and remanded Mr Sheehan in custody to appear before Limerick District Court on a future date for DPP’s directions.