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. 10303Burglary · Co. Limerick · 20 Jan 2025

Robert Benn jailed for daytime burglary at Red Hen pub, Limerick

On 20 January 2025 at 2:45pm, Robert Benn, a 33-year-old man, entered the Red Hen pub on Patrick Street, Limerick, through a fire exit while it was closed to the public, and took a cardholder from the jacket of Silvia Suarez, a cleaner working there. He was arrested two days later, on 22 January 2025, and pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at Limerick Circuit Court. The court imposed three years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for three years, backdated to 22 January 2025. The sentence was reported on 28 March 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Robert Benn, a 33-year-old man, entered the Red Hen pub through a fire exit while it was closed to the public.
  • Silvia Suarez, a woman, was working as a cleaner at the pub at the time.
  • CCTV showed Benn going through the cleaner's jacket and taking a cardholder.
Where
The burglary took place at the Red Hen pub on Patrick Street, Limerick.
When
The burglary happened on 20 January 2025 at 2:45pm.
Investigation
Benn was arrested two days after the burglary.
Other details
Benn used a gift card taken from the cardholder at a jewellers.
Charges
Benn pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at the Red Hen pub on Patrick Street.
In court
The judge noted Benn had 162 previous convictions, 119 of which relate to similar offences.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of four years, reduced by 25% for an early guilty plea to three years.
  • Three years' imprisonment was imposed, with the final year suspended for three years on conditions including a €700 bond to keep the peace, good behaviour and engagement with the Probation Service.
  • The sentence was backdated to 22 January 2025, when Benn was first taken into custody.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBenn entered the pub through a fire exit while it was closed to the public and a cleaner was working there. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed Benn going through the cleaner's jacket and taking a cardholder. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe burglary took place at the Red Hen pub on Patrick Street, Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe burglary happened on 20 January 2025 at 2:45pm. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationBenn was arrested two days after the burglary. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeRobert Benn pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at the Red Hen pub on Patrick Street. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of four years, reduced by 25% for an early guilty plea to three years. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThree years' imprisonment was imposed with the final year suspended for three years on conditions including a €700 bond to keep the peace, good behaviour and engagement with the Probation Service. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 22 January 2025, when Benn was first taken into custody. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherBenn used a gift card taken from the cleaner's cardholder at a jewellers. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted Benn had 162 previous convictions, 119 of which relate to similar offences. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Mar2026
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Serial offender jailed following daytime burglary at well-known Limerick pub

    Reports the sentencing at Limerick Circuit Court of a burglary that occurred in January 2025; no existing case matches this incident.

    convicted, Robert Benn, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Bennvictim, Silvia Suarez, femaleSilvia Suarez