Man with 25 bench warrants out for his arrest brought before Limerick court

A HOMELESS man who had 25 bench warrants taken out for his arrest has finally been brought before the court. 

Robert Cantillon, 29, of Shanabooley Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, had three bench warrants taken out in his name for theft in 2025. 

Limerick District Court heard from prosecuting Sergeant Aisling O’Neill that the man had five bench warrants issued to him in 2024, seven in 2023, five in 2022 and five in 2021, and that the man has previously been formally charged with failure to appear in court.

Solicitor Tom Kiely said that Mr Cantillon had “a drug problem”. He also said that his client’s previously had “no fixed address”, which may have contributed to the build-up of bench warrants. 

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The solicitor detailed that the man is currently living at his sister’s home in Shanabooley, and is currently undergoing “long-term treatment” for his drug problem. 

Judge Patricia Harney said that while anyone before the courts has “the presumption of innocence until found guilty”, she is “satisfied that the bench warrant history is that he should be denied bail”.

The judge adjourned the case and directed that the man should be kept in custody until his next court date in January. 

-Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme