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. 11792Aggravated burglary · Co. Limerick · 15 Jun 2025

Man pleads guilty to knife-armed burglary of 91-year-old's Limerick home

Patrick Byrnes, 23, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary with a knife at a home on O’Connell Avenue, Limerick city, on 15 June 2025, and to possessing a knife and threatening to kill or cause serious harm to gardaí. Judge Colin Daly reserved sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted14 Dec
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 91-year-old man was woken in his bed by a burglar brandishing a knife. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatByrnes entered the house by smashing a window shortly after 8am. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred on 15 June 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe defence put it that Byrnes was on drugs and his motive was to fund a cocaine addiction, and the detective agreed. (limerickleader.ie)
  • weaponThe intruder held a dagger-type knife and pointed the blade at the victim. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationByrnes was arrested by gardaí on 19 June and made full admissions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeByrnes pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary with a knife at a home on O’Connell Avenue in Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeByrnes also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife on Parnell Street and to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to gardaí. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Colin Daly said it was a very serious matter and reserved sentence to a future date. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtByrnes was remanded in continuing custody. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe victim was not physically injured but was badly shaken and in a state of shock. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution said the offences occurred while Byrnes was on bail. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Dec2025
    Convictedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man, aged 91, awoken in his bed by knife-wielding burglar leaning over him

    Reports the guilty plea, the facts outlined by the prosecution and the defence, and that sentence was reserved and the accused remanded in continuing custody.

    victim, 91, maleconvicted, Patrick Byrnes, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Byrnes