Addict jailed over late-night burglaries at small businesses in Limerick city centre

A SERIAL offender has been jailed following a number of burglary incidents in the city centre.

Limerick Circuit Court heard David Foran, aged 42, who has an address at North Claughaun Road, Garryowen, broke into Variety Coffee on Denmark Street and attempted to break into Viko Viko restaurant on Ellen Street at around 1am on July 8, 2025.

Garda Aoife Quinn told prosecuting barrister John O'Sullivan that Mr Foran, who was accompanied by two other males, was tracked on CCTV cameras the night of the incident.

The court heard the defendant kicked the front door of Variety Coffee and that the front door of Viko Viko was damaged when he threw two flower pots at it.

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Garda Quinn said a short time after gardaí were alerted, the three men fled from the area but were subsequently observed emerging from Michael Street onto Charlotte Quay.

When approached “all three ran in different directions and a struggle ensued” during which gardai deployed pepper spray and a baton. While Mr Foran was arrested, the other two men got away, the court heard.

The defendant was found in possession of vouchers from Variety Coffee and some coins.

The court heard the two flower pots broken at Viko Viko had a value of €30 each, while €500 worth of damage was caused to the front door.

Mr Foran has a large number of previous convictions, including two prior burglary offences, criminal damage, endangerment, making a threat to kill and escaping custody.

In a plea for mitigation, barrister Patrick Whyms said Mr Foran has struggled with addiction all his life but has been “drug free since July”.

He said Mr Foran “left school without any formal educational qualifications” and that he hopes to use his time in prison to better himself.

The barrister, who submitted the offence as at the “lower end of the scale” told Judge Colin Daly that when Mr Foran was previously released from prison he had no accommodation and went straight back to the streets.

Judge Daly said the deliberate targeting of small business premises such as Variety Coffee and Viko Viko was an aggravating factor as they add to the “life and vibrancy” of the city centre and have an enormous importance.

He imposed a three year prison sentence, suspending the final 12 months.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme