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. 9523Criminal damage · Co. Kerry · 10 May 2026

US tourist pleads guilty to Kenmare criminal damage and avoids conviction

On 10 May 2026, criminal damage was caused in Kenmare, Co Kerry, including about €28,000 of damage to 28 items of clothing at Quills Woollen Market, damage at the Lansdowne Hotel and Foley's Craft Shop, and about €2,500 damage to a car. The suspect is Rodney Menolascina, a 59-year-old American man from Oregon, USA. He was charged with four counts of criminal damage, all occurring in Kenmare, and pleaded guilty to all of them at Killarney District Court on 19 May 2026. Judge David Waters applied the Probation Act, so no conviction was recorded, and the court heard that compensation of over €50,600 had been paid to the injured parties.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
All four counts of criminal damage occurred on 10 May 2026.
Where
The criminal damage took place in Kenmare, Co Kerry.
What happened
  • Almost €28,000 of damage was caused in Quills Woollen Market on High Street by damaging 28 items of clothing.
  • Damage was also caused at the Lansdowne Hotel and Foley's Craft Shop, and to a car, with about €2,500 of damage to the car.
Other details
  • The suspect is Rodney Menolascina, a 59-year-old American man of SW McKinley Street, Gresham, Oregon, USA.
  • The court heard that Rodney Menolascina was not intoxicated and there was no sign of a medical incident.
  • The judge noted his age, lack of previous convictions, early guilty plea and full repayment to the victims.
  • His solicitor said a cheque for over €50,600 had been made to compensate the injured parties, and a court report said this compensation had been paid.
Charges
  • Rodney Menolascina was charged with four counts of criminal damage.
  • He pleaded guilty to all four criminal damage charges.
In court
The case was prosecuted summarily in Killarney District Court on a guilty plea only, following a Director of Public Prosecutions direction, and was heard before Judge David Waters.
Sentence
The judge gave him the benefit of the Probation Act and no conviction was recorded.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAlmost €28,000 of damage was caused in Quills Woollen Market by damaging 28 items of clothing. (rte.ie)
  • whatDamage was also caused at the Lansdowne Hotel, Foley's Craft Shop and to a car, about €2,500 to the car. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe criminal damage took place in Kenmare, Co Kerry. (rte.ie)
  • whenAll four counts of criminal damage occurred in Kenmare on 10 May. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to all four criminal damage charges. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was prosecuted summarily in the District Court on a guilty plea only. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge allowed him the benefit of the Probation Act and no conviction was recorded. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe court heard he was not intoxicated and there was no sign of a medical incident. (rte.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he had a cheque for over €50,600 to compensate the injured parties. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted his age, lack of previous convictions, early guilty plea and full repayment to victims. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 May2026
    Otherrte.ie, first report
    US tourist pleads guilty to damaging Kenmare premises

    Court report: guilty plea to four criminal damage charges totalling over €45,000, Probation Act applied with no conviction, and compensation of over €50,600 paid to the injured parties.

    accused, Rodney Menolascina, 59, male, American, named, non-irishRodney Menolascina