Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 20120Fraud, theft and unauthorised taking of a vehicle · Co. Limerick

Former cocaine addict sentenced over 54 offences at Limerick Circuit Court

John Campbell, aged 28, of Towerhill, Cappamore, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to 54 charges of fraud, theft and unauthorised taking of a vehicle, committed between September 2021 and October 2022 and affecting people and businesses in Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, Clare and Westmeath. The total sum involved was €19,359.45, none of which has been recovered. He was arrested in October 2022 and spent five months in custody. In August 2023, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed two-year prison sentences with the last 12 months suspended on all charges, to be served concurrently.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Campbell, aged 28, of Towerhill, Cappamore, pleaded guilty to 54 charges.
  • The charges comprised 46 deceptions, two thefts, five counts of making off without payment of fuel and one count of using a vehicle without the owner's consent.
Where
The offences affected people and businesses in Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, Clare and Westmeath.
When
The offences took place between September 2021 and October 2022.
Cause
  • The deceptions used credit or debit card details belonging to people who agreed to buy milking machine parts, and screenshots were sent to businesses to suggest funds had been transferred.
  • Gardaí said the motivation for acquiring tools from businesses was to pay off drug debts.
Investigation
  • Campbell was arrested in October 2022.
  • Gardaí said Campbell made full and frank admissions.
In court
The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court before Judge Dermot Sheehan.
Sentence
  • Judge Sheehan imposed two-year prison sentences with the last 12 months suspended on all charges.
  • The sentences are to be served concurrently.
Other details
  • The total sum involved was €19,359.45 and none has been recovered.
  • Campbell had spent five months in custody after his arrest in October 2022.
  • Campbell had no previous convictions.
  • This is a separate court matter from a Nenagh District Court case.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn Campbell, aged 28, of Towerhill, Cappamore pleaded guilty to 54 charges. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe offences affected people and businesses in Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, Clare and Westmeath. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place between September 2021 and October 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe deceptions used credit or debit card details belonging to people who agreed to buy milking machine parts, and screenshots sent to businesses to suggest funds had been transferred. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeGardaí said the motivation for acquiring tools from businesses was to pay off drug debts. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said Campbell made full and frank admissions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe charges comprised 46 deceptions, two thefts, five counts of making off without payment of fuel and one count of using a vehicle without the owner's consent. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court before Judge Dermot Sheehan. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Sheehan imposed two-year prison sentences with the last 12 months suspended on all charges. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences are to be served concurrently. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe total sum involved was €19,359.45 and none has been recovered. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCampbell had spent five months in custody after his arrest in October 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCampbell had no previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Aug2023
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Former cocaine addict jailed over 54 offences apologises to everyone he hurt

    Circuit Court sentencing for 54 offences committed between September 2021 and October 2022 across Limerick, Cork, Tipperary, Clare and Westmeath. Sentence was two years with the last 12 months suspended, concurrent. This is a separate court matter from the Nenagh District Court case (id 19271).

    convicted, John Campbell, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Campbellvictim, male