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. 10715Aggravated burglary, arson and harassment · Co. Limerick · 10 Aug 2024

Man jailed for ten years over harassment and arson at Limerick woman's home

On 10 August 2024 John Ryan, a 34-year-old man from Heather Grove, Dooradoyle, Limerick, broke into a woman's home, set fire to it and harassed her, and she fled. Ryan admitted aggravated burglary, arson and harassment, and in March 2026 Limerick Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to ten years, backdated to 10 August 2024, with the harassment sentence reduced from two and a half years to one and a half years and both sentences running concurrently. The judge also ordered that Ryan never communicate with the victim again, and the latest development is that the sentence was reported as handed down in March 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Ryan, 34, of Heather Grove, Dooradoyle, Limerick, admitted aggravated burglary, arson and harassment against a woman.
  • Ryan smashed through a window at the woman's home, and she fled.
  • Ryan set fire to the woman's apartment, which one report describes as a house.
Where
The offences took place at the woman's home in Limerick.
When
The incident happened on 10 August 2024.
Weapon
Ryan armed himself with chisels.
Cause
The judge took into account that Ryan was suffering from severe depressive and psychological distress from past trauma at the time of the offending.
Charges
Ryan pleaded guilty to harassing the woman.
In court
Ryan was sentenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Ryan was sentenced to ten years, backdated to 10 August 2024, with the harassment sentence reduced from two and a half years to one and a half years and both sentences running concurrently.
  • The judge ordered that Ryan must never communicate with the victim again.
Other details
  • Ryan was in breach of bail for harassing the woman when the burglary happened.
  • The woman said she had lost her sense of safety and was happy with the outcome.
  • The judge ordered that Ryan receive all necessary psychological health services in prison and said prison was presently the best place for him and the public.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn Ryan was jailed for ten years at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court after admitting the charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatRyan smashed through a window at the woman's home, causing her to flee in terror. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatRyan set fire to the apartment. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe judge took into account that Ryan was suffering from severe depressive and psychological distress from past trauma at the time of the offending. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponRyan armed himself with chisels. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeRyan pleaded guilty to harassing the woman. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the sentence to ten years, backdated to 10 August 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe harassment sentence was reduced from two and a half years to one and a half years, with both sentences to run concurrently. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered that Ryan could never communicate with the victim again. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherRyan was in breach of bail for harassing the woman when the burglary happened. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe woman said she had lost her sense of safety. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge ordered that Ryan receive all necessary psychological health services in prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said prison was presently the best place for Ryan and the general public. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Judge says man jailed for harassing woman and setting her house on fire still has 'good' in him

    Reports the sentencing of John Ryan at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on the aggravated burglary, arson and harassment charges, with the sentence terms and orders.

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