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. 9595Burglary · Co. Limerick

Man jailed for burglary and threats at Newcastle West pizza takeaway

Dermot Knapp Ryan (34) produced a knife, smashed a window with a rolling pin and threatened to kill staff during a burglary at Pizza Point takeaway in Newcastle West, Limerick. The incident date is not given. He was arrested by armed Emergency Response Unit gardaí, who pepper-sprayed and batoned him, and he later pleaded guilty to burglary at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Sources disagree on the sentence, with one saying three years and the judge's sentence being four years and six months with the final 18 months suspended. The latest report, published on 13 May 2026, gives the four-year-six-month sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Dermot Knapp Ryan (34) pleaded guilty to burglary at Pizza Point takeaway in Newcastle West.
  • Ryan threatened staff members and said he would kill them.
  • Ryan threw the knife at a car, jumped on its bonnet, punched the driver's window and tried to open the driver's door; the woman driver drove away in panic.
Where
The burglary took place at Pizza Point takeaway in Newcastle West, County Limerick.
Weapon
Ryan took a knife from inside his pants and chased staff with the blade, and he smashed a window at the premises with a rolling pin.
Investigation
Armed gardaí from the Emergency Response Unit were deployed, and Ryan was pepper-sprayed and batoned during his arrest.
Charges
Charges of threats to kill, public order and criminal damage to a car were taken into consideration by the court on a full facts basis.
In court
The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Fiona O'Sullivan.
Sentence
  • Sources disagree on the sentence: one says Ryan was jailed for three years, while the judge's sentence is four years and six months with the final 18 months suspended.
  • Concurrent two-year sentences were imposed for criminal damage at the premises and for possessing the knife.
  • The suspended 18 months could be activated if Ryan commits further offences within four years and six months.
Other details
Ryan had almost 100 previous convictions in Ireland and England and was on bail for other charges at the time, for which he was not prosecuted.
When
The sentencing was reported on 13 May 2026, and the incident date is not given.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRyan pleaded guilty to burglary at Pizza Point takeaway, producing a knife and smashing a window with a rolling pin. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatRyan threatened staff members and said he would kill them. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatRyan threw the knife at a car, jumped on its bonnet, punched the driver's window and tried to open the driver's door. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe burglary took place at Pizza Point takeaway in Newcastle West. (limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponRyan took a knife out from inside his pants and chased staff with the blade. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationArmed gardaí from the Emergency Response Unit were deployed, and Ryan was pepper-sprayed and batoned during his arrest. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeCharges of threats to kill, public order and criminal damage to a car were taken into consideration. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtRyan was jailed at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Fiona O’Sullivan jailed Ryan for four years and six months, with the final 18 months suspended. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceConcurrent sentences of two years were imposed for criminal damage at the premises and for possessing the knife. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspended 18 months could be activated if Ryan commits further offences within four years and six months. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe driver, a woman, drove away from the scene in panic. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherRyan had almost 100 previous convictions in Ireland and England. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 May2026
    Sentencedlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Man who threatened pizza parlour staff with knife jailed for three years

    Sentencing report. The article's opening line says he was jailed for three years, but the judge's sentence later in the article is four years and six months with the final 18 months suspended. Incident date is not given.

    convicted, Dermot Knapp Ryan, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dermot Knapp Ryanvictim, female