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. 10643Robbery · Co. Limerick · 15 Jan 2021

Limerick man goes on trial over 2021 robbery outside Annacotty discount store

Wayne Williams, a 41-year-old man of Limerick, is accused of robbing Frank Butler, a van driver for Brinks-Mat, outside a Mr Price shop in Annacotty, County Limerick, on January 15, 2021. It is alleged that Mr Butler was attacked and that bird seeds, hand sanitiser and a water condenser were taken. Williams pleaded not guilty, and his trial began at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on March 4, 2026. The trial is continuing before judge Colin Daly and a jury.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Frank Butler, a van driver for security firm Brinks-Mat, was allegedly attacked and robbed.
  • Mr Butler was allegedly struck by a dark-coloured BMW as he walked back to his van, and his finger was broken.
Where
The alleged robbery happened outside a Mr Price shop in Annacotty, County Limerick.
When
The alleged robbery took place on January 15, 2021.
Cause
The victim said he was struck by a car as he walked back to the van.
Weapon
  • A masked man allegedly swung a pick axe handle at Mr Butler, and a second masked man allegedly pointed a handgun at him.
  • A masked man in the driver's seat of the BMW allegedly pointed a gun at Mr Butler.
Other details
  • It is alleged that bird seeds, hand sanitiser and a water condenser were taken, and that the two men fled in the BMW.
  • Mr Butler said he could not return to work for Brinks-Mat after the alleged robbery, having worked there for over two decades.
Investigation
Mr Butler gave a statement at Henry Street garda station within one hour of the attack.
Charges
Wayne Williams, a 41-year-old man of Griffith Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, is accused of participating in the robbery and pleaded not guilty.
In court
  • The trial began at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on March 4, 2026.
  • The trial is continuing before judge Colin Daly and a jury at Limerick Circuit Court.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFrank Butler was struck by a dark-coloured BMW. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatFrank Butler's finger was broken. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatBird seeds, hand sanitiser and a water condenser were allegedly taken. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe robbery happened outside a Mr Price shop in Annacotty, County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe robbery took place outside Mr Price in Annacotty. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe alleged robbery took place on January 15, 2021. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe robbery took place on 15 January 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe victim said he was struck by a car as he walked back to the van. (limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponA masked man allegedly approached the victim carrying a pick axe handle. (limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponA second masked man allegedly pointed a handgun at the victim. (limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponA masked man swung a pick axe handle at Frank Butler. (limerickleader.ie)
  • weaponA masked man in the driver's seat of the BMW pointed a gun at Frank Butler. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationFrank Butler gave a statement at Henry Street garda station within one hour of the attack. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeWayne Williams pleaded not guilty to his alleged role in the armed robbery. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeWilliams is accused of robbing Frank Butler, a van driver for Brinks-Mat. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeWayne Williams has pleaded not guilty to robbing Frank Butler outside Mr Price in Annacotty. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeWayne Williams is accused of participating in the robbery. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe trial began at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday, March 4. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial is continuing. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial is continuing before judge Colin Daly and a jury at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe two men fled in a BMW with the bag of birdseed and other items. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherFrank Butler had worked as a van driver for security company Brinks-Mat for over two decades. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Mar2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    'It was violent' - Limerick man goes on trial following robbery outside discount store

    First report of the trial of Wayne Williams, who has pleaded not guilty. The article gives the victim's account of the attack and the evidence heard so far.

    accused, Wayne Williams, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne Williamsvictim, Frank Butler, male, irish (judged from name)Frank Butler
  2. 3 Mar2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Man denies alleged role in birdseed and hand sanitizer robbery from security van driver

    Reports the trial of Wayne Williams, who pleaded not guilty. Frank Butler gave evidence describing the attack, and the article says the trial continues.

    accused, Wayne Williams, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne Williamsvictim, Frank Butler, male, irish (judged from name)Frank Butler