Ireland Man given suspended sentence for knifepoint robbery and bottle attack, Limerick
On 4 April 2024 in Limerick City, a man was robbed at knifepoint, the court heard, and Brendan Clune, a 54-year-old man, was involved; Clune had travelled by taxi from Clare, did not pay the €80 fare, and also smashed a glass bottle and ran at members of the public with it. Gardaí obtained CCTV of the bottle incident and arrested Clune after he ran past them. Clune pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to making off without paying a taxi fare, possessing a broken bottle and a Stanley knife, and theft of €40 from a man in Limerick City. Judge Colin Daly reduced a three-year headline sentence to one year, fully suspended for two years, and said he would consider activating it if Clune came to Garda attention within that period; this was reported on 14 February 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced14 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Clune told the victim he had a blade and demanded money.
- Where
- The robbery and other offences took place in Limerick City.
- When
- The offences were dated 4 April 2024.
- Cause
- Clune travelled by taxi from Clare to Limerick to buy drugs and did not pay the €80 fare.
- Weapon
- Clune smashed a glass bottle and ran at or lunged at members of the public with it, threatening them.
- Investigation
- Gardaí obtained CCTV footage of the bottle incident.
- Gardaí arrested Clune after he ran past them.
- Charges
- Clune pleaded guilty to making off without payment of a taxi fare.
- Clune pleaded guilty to possession of a broken bottle and possession of a Stanley knife.
- Clune pleaded guilty to theft of €40 from a man in Limerick City.
- In court
- The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court and reported on 14 February 2026.
- Sentence
- Judge Colin Daly reduced a three-year headline sentence to one year, fully suspended for two years.
- The judge said he would consider activating the one-year sentence if Clune came to Garda attention within the next two years.
- Other details
- Clune had 41 prior convictions and was reported to be in a serious alcohol and drug addiction at the time.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatClune told the victim he had a blade and demanded money. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe robbery and other offences took place in Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe offences were dated 4 April 2024. (limerickpost.ie)
- causeClune travelled by taxi from Clare to Limerick to buy drugs and did not pay the €80 fare. (limerickpost.ie)
- weaponClune smashed a glass bottle and ran at members of the public threatening them with it. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí obtained CCTV footage of the bottle incident. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested Clune after he ran past them. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeClune pleaded guilty to making off without payment of a taxi fare. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeClune pleaded guilty to possession of a broken bottle and possession of a Stanley knife. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeClune pleaded guilty to theft of €40 from a man in Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceThe judge reduced a three-year headline sentence to a one-year sentence, fully suspended for two years. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he would consider activating the one-year sentence if Clune came to Garda attention in the next two years. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherClune had 41 prior convictions. (limerickpost.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Feb2026Man lunged at pedestrians with broken bottle and robbed man at knifepoint after failing to pay for taxi
Sentencing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for offences dated 4 April 2024, including robbery at knifepoint, possession of a broken bottle and a Stanley knife, and making off without paying a taxi fare. No existing case in the list matches this incident.
convicted, Brendan Clune, 54, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Clunevictim, male