Recidivist sentenced to ten years for Limerick city robberies

A serial offender was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for Limerick city robberies. 

Limerick’s circuit court heard that Mark Foran, 38, of North Claghaun Road, Garryowen stole €350 from the till of Fine Wines in Corbally on October 20, 2023.  

In the shop, Mr Foran brandished a knife, and left the shop with tobacco, cigarettes and the charity box. 

Judge Colin Daly said in his summation of the crimes, that Mr Foran was wearing latex gloves when he committed the crime, which he had previously stolen from Dunnes Stores.

The court heard that a few days later on October 31, 2023, Mr Foran robbed a city pharmacy. When Mr Foran was not happy with the amount taken from the till. A member of staff pressed the panic button, and gardaí were alerted. 

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The court heard that on February 19, 2025, Mr Foran took scissors from Hale vape shop and demanded money from the till from the shop worker. Judge Daly said the staff member screamed for help. 

Fifteen minutes later, the man brandished a sharp metal item inside Fine Wines on Catherine Street. Mr Foran took tobacco, money, captain morgan’s rum and a charity box from the shop. 

A woman accompanied him and waited outside these shops during the robberies in February. Adrienne Phayer, 37, of Island Road, Limerick, followed Mr Foran to the dole office on Henry street. The pair were tracked using CCTV. 

Judgy Daly said that Mr Foran was the “principal offender” and the woman “played an assisting role” in committing the thefts. 

Judge Daly said Mr Foran “deliberately went out with the intention of robbery”, however he has shown “remorse”. 

In mitigation, Judge Daly said that Ms Phayer “has a significant drug addiction”, and that she has a problem with heroin and crack cocaine. The court heard that Ms Phayer has been In recovery since she’s been in custody, and is now taking methadone. 

Mr Foran has 72 previous convictions, many of which were for circuit court matters, while Ms Phayer has 19 previous convictions. 

Judge Daly sentenced Mr Foran to ten years imprisonment, and Ms Phayer to six years imprisonment.