Violent Limerick criminal jailed for six years

A violent Limerick criminal has been jailed for six years for attacking and falsely imprisoning a hotel night manager.

Kenneth Noonan, aged 30, of Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to robbery at the Limerick City Hotel (formerly Jurys Inn) and assaulting the night manager, Rafael Zipagan.

During the incident, Noonan held a syringe to Mr Zipagan’s throat, the court heard. Garda Donnacha Coakley said he was on duty in Henry Street station at around 3am on May 6, 2015, when a man in a very distressed state ran into the public office.

He told them the hotel, located near the Garda station was being robbed by a man with a knife. Garda Coakley ran to the hotel with a colleague. He saw a man with a green hoodie run out the front door and head towards Shannon Bridge. He gave chase and eventually caught up with this man, the accused.

Noonan threatened him with a syringe and threw a metal cash box he took from the hotel at him. Garda Coakley drew his baton and used pepper spray before he eventually overpowered Noonan in a struggle.