Limerick man, whose sister was murdered, robs 90-year-old victim waiting for bus

A LIMERICK man, whose sister was murdered, has pleaded guilty to robbing a wallet from a 90-year-old man with a cane as he was waiting for a bus at Colbert Station.

“It is difficult to imagine a more vulnerable victim,” said prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan.

Ian Waters, aged 32, of Church Avenue, Templemore, County Tipperary but who is a native St Mary’s Park, Limerick pleaded guilty to one count of robbery at around 6.30am on July 23, 2025. 

Mr O’Sullivan BL, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court with the assistance of Detective Garda Shane Arthur. 

Mr O’Sullivan said the 90-year-old man, from a County Limerick village, went to Colbert Station to take the 7am bus to Cork early on the morning of Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

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The barrister said Waters was “loitering with criminal intent”. The victim, who was sitting on a bench, observed Waters and a woman (not before the court). 

He transferred his wallet from a trousers pocket to his jacket pocket when he was “set upon” by Waters.

“The accused man grabbed the wallet from his hand and fled. It contained his free travel pass and €115 in cash. The victim told gardai he did not suffer any injuries but was quite shaken by it,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Gardai launched an investigation and Waters was arrested that night. He told gardai he was smoking three or four bags of heroin a day, had run up a drug debt and said: “If I hurt him I’m sorry, I don't recall. I’m so sorry - it’s not my style.” 

Mr O’Sullivan said Waters has a number of previous convictions including possession of a firearm, criminal damage, robbery, production of an article, assault causing harm and possession of drugs.

“He has a propensity to violence,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Joseph McMahon, barrister for Waters, said his client has pleaded guilty which meant the victim hasn’t had to spend his twilight years coming to court, and co-operated with gardai. 

Mr McMahon, in mitigation, said there was no injury suffered by the nonagenarian and his client has expressed genuine remorse.

The barrister said when gardai asked Mr Waters what would he say if the 90-year-year old man was present his client’s reply was: “I have no words. It should never have happened. I’m sorry. If he can find it in himself to forgive me because I have elderly parents. Can you give that €100 to him? I don’t know where the wallet is.”

Mr McMahon said Waters is a native of St Mary’s Park and the unsolved murder of his sister is a significant event in his life.

The barrister said Waters has a longstanding heroin addiction and was intoxicated to such an extent that he doesn’t remember the incident but that is “no excuse”.

“He apologises unreservedly,” he said.

 Judge Colin Daly jailed Waters for three years, backdated to July 24, 2025.