Jacket containing Rolex watch worth €15k stolen from Limerick restaurant
Judge told Denis McNamara has been consuming drugs for as long as he can remember and that his habit has ‘taken everything’ from him
A MAN whose mother no longer speaks to him after he “ransacked” a beauty salon which she attends and who also stole a jacket containing a Rolex watch, worth €15,000, is facing a lengthy prison sentence.
Denis McNamara, aged 35, with an address at Lisheen Park, Patrickswell, Limerick, has pleaded guilty to five charges of burglary and one of criminal damage.
During a sentencing hearing, Judge Colin Daly heard the offences took place between June 12 and July 4, 2025 and that Mr McNamara predominantly targeted small businesses in Limerick city centre.
Giving evidence regarding one incident, Detective Garda Enda Barrett, of Henry Street garda station, said that shortly after midnight on June 12, 2025 the defendant broke into Apache Pizza in Raheen before making off with €150 as well as a set of keys to a safe. Judge Daly heard he cycled to and from the scene.
Prosecuting Barrister John O’Sullivan said the CCTV in this case was “self-evident” as it clearly identified Mr McNamara committing the offence.
Just two days later - at approximately 1am - the now 35-year-old committed a burglary by walking in the front door of Taikichi, a sushi restaurant on O’Connell Street, as staff were tidying and preparing to leave. Limerick Circuit Court was informed that Mr McNamara made his way to the staff area and stole a jacket before walking out again.
A worker alerted gardaí after realising that his jacket was missing, informing them that inside the pockets were two sets of car keys, €100 in cash, bank cards, a driving licence and his Rolex Daytona watch, valued at approximately €15,000.
Despite making "significant efforts” to locate the Rolex watch, gardaí were unsuccessful in recovering it or any of the other stolen property.
Judge Colin Daly also heard that Mr McNamara entered the Spitjack restaurant, on Bedford Row, through a rear door in the early hours of June 25, 2025 as deliveries were taking place.
Prosecuting Barrister John O’Sullivan said the Limerick native stole a €250 Apple iPad, €500 in cash as well as the till drawer in its entirety, valued at €250.
The final three offences, all of which Mr McNamara pleaded guilty to, occurred on July 4 of last year.
On that date, the defendant made his way to the back door of the Savoy Hotel and informed a worker that he needed to speak to the manager. Shortly before this, two American tourists had checked into the hotel and left their bags in a store area as their room was not yet ready.
Mr McNamara made off with two backpacks belonging to the pair and was observed on CCTV exiting through the main entrance while holding them. The bags contained two iPads, a kindle and their passports. The matter was reported to gardaí some hours later and the items were eventually recovered, despite the electronics being sold to a shop in the city centre.
At approximately 3:30pm on the same day, the 35-year-old got on a Bus Éireann bus at William Street and became "irate" with passengers shortly afterwards.
He requested to get off the bus less than two minutes later after having a disagreement with a lady he had a “past history” with. It was after exiting the vehicle that Mr McNamara approached again, while the bus was stopped in traffic, and began to kick at the middle doors until they smashed.
He fled the scene and Judge Daly was informed that the bus had to be taken out of service and repaired since over €1,000 worth of damage was caused to it.
Some hours after this, Mr McNamara broke into the Porcelain Doll, a nail and beauty salon located in Foxes Bow, on the night of July 4, 2025. Mr O’Sullivan, said the premises had closed at 6pm and that the shutters were pulled down but there was no lock bolting them to the ground.
The defendant pulled up the shutters and smashed the entrance door glass. He “ransacked” the small business and made away with €20 in change and a box of eyelashes that cost €100. The five workers employed at the salon had to cancel appointments for the next day and hundreds of euro worth of damage was caused.
Limerick Circuit Court heard that Mr McNamara cut himself while breaking into the premises and that blood found at the scene matched his DNA. He was later arrested by gardaí and made “prompt” admissions regarding his involvement in all the offences.
When interviewed by authorities, he admitted he sold the Rolex watch to raise money for crack cocaine and heroin. It is the belief of gardai that the watch was sold for a fraction of its original price.
Mr McNamara further admitted stealing from the Spitjack restaurant, as he and his former partner had run out of drugs, and using a screwdriver to gain entry into Apache Pizza, Raheen.
Mr McNamara also confirmed to gardaí that he only fled from Apache and did not steal the safe as the security alarm was activated, telling them: “I’d say there was a right few quid in that safe.”
Judge Colin Daly heard that Mr McNamara has 92 previous convictions both in and outside of the jurisdiction, including 31 for theft and 28 for burglary. He was described by the prosecuting barrister as a “volatile and aggressive individual.”
He is a volatile and aggressive individual
Representing the defendant, Joseph McMahon, BL, instructed by Sarah Ryan Solicitors, reminded Limerick Circuit Court that his client was before the court on six signed guilty pleas, which, he submitted, were of “significant assistance” to the State.
He made “full and frank” admissions upon his arrest and stated that all of the burglaries were committed to feed his drug addiction. Mr McMahon said that at the height of his addiction, his client was spending €500 a day on illicit substances.
The defendant was apologetic to all his victims and in particular, said he was sorry for “ruining” the holiday of the US tourists he targeted.
He has been in custody since July 4, 2025, having been refused bail.
Addressing the Circuit Court via video-link, Mr McNamara said he was relieved upon his arrest, stating: “Thank God” to gardaí. The 35-year-old believes he would have “done something very bad” or would have been “found dead” due to his drug use, had he not been detained when he was.
In mitigation, barrister Joseph McMahon asked Judge Daly to take into account his client’s signed pleas, his “longstanding” addiction, which, he believes, serves as an explanation for his offending behaviour and his co-operation with gardaí.
The defence barrister read out a letter written by Mr McNamara to the court in which he said he was “so so sorry” to his victims who “didn’t do nothing wrong.” The Limerick native stated he is now “not the same man” he once was and referred to himself as a “demon” during the time he was committing these offences.
Mr McNamara said he has been consuming drugs for as long as he can remember and that his habit has “taken everything” from him, including his children.
He has been sober since he first entered custody and he asked his victims to “forgive me for what I have put ye through.”
It was Mr McMahon’s view that this letter shows “great insight” as his client did not attempt to make any excuse for his actions, considering he is “very remorseful.”
He asked Judge Daly to include a period of suspension when sentencing Mr McNamara to ensure he can avail of supports post-release as this is a “make it or break it” situation for him.
The 35-year-old has continuously maintained that the reason he damaged the bus was because a passenger was detaining his then-girlfriend. Mr McMahon believes this as his client had “no reason to lie” considering how up-front he was in regards to the other offences.
Limerick Circuit Court heard that upon release, Denis McNamara wishes to return to work and re-locate away from Limerick with his boyfriend.
Addressing Judge Daly via video-link from Limerick Prison, he asked if any of his victims were present in court, requesting that they raise their hand so he could apologise to their faces. None attended the procedural hearing.
The 35-year-old further disclosed that following the “terrible” burglary he committed at Porcelain Doll, he discovered his mother had a beauty appointment with the salon and now doesn’t speak to him as a result.
Having heard the facts and the defence submissions, Judge Colin Daly indicated he will impose sentence on July 29.