Pub toasts return of Limerick pensioner cocooned since start of lockdown Lovely! Ballybrown man Gilbert Smith, who turns 97 next week, enjoys his first glass of Paddy’s whiskey in Punch’s Bar, Patrickswell since March 2020 | PICTURE: BRENDAN GLEESON Reporter: '); '); FOR 15 long months, 96-year-old Gilbert Smith remained cooped up in his home in Ballybrown, for fear of catching Covid-19. That is until this week when he finally left his home, confident enough to do so after his vaccination against coronavirus. And his first port of call? His favourite watering hole, and a glass of his favourite tipple – Paddy’s Whiskey.