Man who mugged pensioner in Limerick found hiding under a bush by gardai

A man who admitted robbing a handbag from an elderly woman as she was walking in broad daylight was arrested after gardai after they found him hiding under a bush.

When arraigned at Limerick Circuit Court, Shane Ryan-Casey, aged 24, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to a single charge of robbery relating to an incident which happened at St Nessan’s Road, Dooradoyle, on September 12, last.

The defendant approached the 69-year-old victim as she was walking at St Nessan’s Road, Dooradoyle – near the Crescent Shopping Centre – at around 3pm.

“He took hold of her handbag and ran across the road to Ballykeefe Estate,” Detective Garda Paul Crowley previously told Limerick District Court when opposing a bail application.

The pensioner’s handbag contained cash, a mobile phone, keys and various bank cards and the defendant was located hiding under a bush with the assistance of other members of the public.

The woman was not physically injured during the incident.

Previously Limerick District Court was told the defendant is a “volatile and dangerous individual with a history of violence”.

Last month Mr Ryan-Casey, who has more than 130 previous convictions, was fined €150 after he admitted having a mobile phone at Limerick Prison on September 24, 2018.

After his client pleaded guilty to the robbery charge, Brian McInerney BL sought an early sentencing date. Judge Tom O’Donnell adjourned the matter to June 19, next.