Sunday 1 November 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. 21811Burglary · Co. Limerick · 17 Mar 2023

Gardaí investigate church burglaries in Dromin and Bruff, Limerick

Two churches in County Limerick were burgled on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 2023. At Holy Trinity Church in Dromin the sacristy door was smashed open but nothing was taken, while at SS Peter and Paul in Bruff a candelabra was damaged and a moneybox broken open with a few coins of candle money stolen. A third church in south Limerick was reportedly broken into the same day but no official report was made. Gardaí in Bruff are investigating both confirmed incidents. No arrests or charges have been made.

  1. Reported22 Mar
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two churches in County Limerick were burgled on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 2023.
  • The sacristy door at Holy Trinity Church was smashed open but nothing was taken, with repairs costing €500.
  • A candelabra was damaged and a moneybox broken open at SS Peter and Paul, with a few coins of candle money stolen.
  • A third church in south Limerick was reportedly broken into the same day but no official report was made.
Where
The confirmed burglaries were at Holy Trinity Church in Dromin and SS Peter and Paul in Bruff.
When
The caretaker of Holy Trinity Church discovered the break-in at 6.30pm and the caretaker of SS Peter and Paul called gardai at 8.30pm on Friday 17 March 2023.
Investigation
Gardaí in Bruff are investigating both confirmed incidents.
Other details
No arrests or charges have been made.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA third church in south Limerick was also broken into on the same day but no official report was made (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe sacristy door just off the altar had been smashed open (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatNothing had been taken from the sacristy (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatRepairs to the damaged door will cost €500 (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA candelabra had been damaged at SS Peter and Paul (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA moneybox had been broken open and the money stolen from inside (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe candle money in the church would have only been a few coins (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe caretaker of Holy Trinity Church in Dromin went to lock up the church at 6.30pm on Friday 17 March (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe caretaker of SS Peter and Paul in Bruff called gardai at 8.30pm (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí in Bruff are investigating both incidents (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Mar2023
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Gardai investigate break-ins at Limerick churches on St Patrick's Day

    Reports two church burglaries in Dromin and Bruff on St Patrick's Day, with a possible third in south Limerick where no official report was made.