Thursday 29 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. 10436Theft · Co. Limerick

Judge refuses jurisdiction in theft case against Limerick man

John O'Donoghue, a 39-year-old man of Lee Estate, Island Road, Limerick city, is accused of thefts across Limerick and Clare in 2025, including steaks taken from Northtown Shopping Centre on August 29 and a theft at Applegreen, Corbally, County Clare, on July 5. It is alleged that he tapped a debit card without authorisation to steal a handbag, wallet and iPad, and that a transaction was declined when he attempted to tap a card at Spar, Catherine Street, on June 8, 2025. He was charged with 35 counts of theft and one count of attempted theft at Limerick District Court in March 2026, where the goods are alleged to be worth €6,588.56, of which €200 has been recovered. Judge Carol Ann Coolican refused jurisdiction, citing the volume of charges and the value of the goods, and the prosecuting garda sergeant said he would have to revert to the Director of Public Prosecutions, so the matter may proceed on indictment before the circuit court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John O'Donoghue, a 39-year-old man, is accused of multiple theft offences.
Where
  • He lives at Lee Estate, Island Road, Limerick city.
  • He is charged with a theft from Applegreen, Corbally, County Clare, on July 5.
When
  • The thefts are alleged to have taken place in various locations across Limerick and Clare in 2025.
  • On August 29, he is alleged to have stolen €153 worth of steaks from Northtown Shopping Centre, Limerick city.
  • On June 8, 2025, a transaction was declined when he allegedly attempted to tap a card at Spar, Catherine Street, Limerick city centre.
Cause
It is alleged that he tapped a debit card without authorisation on three occasions to steal a handbag, wallet and iPad.
Charges
He was charged with 35 counts of theft and one count of attempted theft under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
In court
  • The case was heard at Limerick District Court; the article date record gives 18 March 2026 and the article text gives publication on 24 March 2026.
  • Judge Carol Ann Coolican refused jurisdiction, citing the volume of charges and the value of the goods.
  • Prosecuting Garda Sergeant Denis Waters said he would have to revert to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Sentence
If the matter proceeds on indictment before the circuit court and he is convicted, he faces a maximum of ten years' imprisonment.
Other details
The goods are alleged to be worth €6,588.56, of which only €200 has been recovered.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe accused lives at Lee Estate, Island Road, Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereHe is charged with theft from an incident at Applegreen, Corbally, County Clare, on July 5. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereOn August 29, he allegedly stole €153 worth of steaks from Northtown Shopping Centre, Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe thefts are alleged to have taken place in various locations across Limerick and Clare in 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn June 8, 2025, a transaction was declined when he allegedly attempted to tap the card at Spar, Catherine Street in Limerick city centre. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeIt is alleged that he tapped a debit card without authorisation on three occasions to steal a handbag, wallet and iPad. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with 35 counts of theft and one count of attempted theft under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Carol Ann Coolican refused jurisdiction, citing the volume of charges and the value of the goods. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe prosecuting garda sergeant said he would have to revert to the Director of Public Prosecutions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceIf the matter proceeds on indictment before the circuit court, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years' imprisonment if convicted. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherHe is accused of stealing goods worth €6,588.56, of which only €200 has been recovered. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Mar2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Judge refuses jurisdiction in case of Limerick man facing multiple theft charges

    First report of this case. Court refused jurisdiction; the matter may proceed on indictment before the circuit court. Alleged goods worth €6,588.56, with €200 recovered.

    accused, John O'Donoghue, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donoghue