Serial offender jailed following daytime burglary at well-known Limerick pub

A LIMERICK man with 162 previous convictions has been jailed for three years after he admitted breaking into a well-known city centre pub. 

Robert Benn, aged 33, of Kilmurry Court, Garryowen had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at the Red Hen pub on Patrick Street. 

Limerick Circuit Court heard that on January 20, 2025, Mr Benn gained access to the premises through a fire exit at 2:45pm. At this time, the pub was closed to the public but a cleaner, Silvia Suarez, was present and working. 

Mr Benn, who appeared in court via video link from Limerick Prison, was seen on CCTV going through this woman’s jacket and taking a cardholder. He also made some attempts to open the till - which were unsuccessful - and then left. 

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The now 33-year-old subsequently visited Keanes Jewellers where he used a gift card which he took from the cleaner’s cardholder. He also purchased cigarettes and scratch cards at a nearby Centra store. 

It was the following day that Ms Suarez realised her cardholder was missing. She contacted the jewellers but was told it was “too late” in regards to her voucher. 

Mr Benn, who was represented by Aaron Desmond BL, was arrested two days later. 

Passing sentence, Judge Colin Daly said harm was done by way of the gift card being used, as well as it being a "grave inconvenience" to the “hardworking” Ms Suarez, who had to replace her cards.

Keys, which were taken from the Red Hen, were also never retrieved. 

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Calling this an “opportunistic theft,” Judge Daly noted Mr Benn’s 162 previous convictions, 119 of which relate to similar offences. 

He set a headline sentence of four years' imprisonment but taking into account Mr Benn's early guilty plea he reduced the sentence by 25% to one of three years. 

Limerick Circuit heard that Benn has since apologised to both the victim and the court. He wrote a long letter and is said to be motivated to “change” following on from a long history of addiction. 

Mr Desmond said his client has been in custody since his arrest and that he now carries out trusted work in Limerick Prison. 

Judge Daly says it appears that Mr Benn is a “positive” individual with a supportive family. He sentenced him to three years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for a period of three years on condition that he enters into a €700 bond to keep the peace as well as be on good behaviour and engage with the Probation Service. 

The sentence was backdated to when Mr Benn was first brought into custody on January 22, 2025.