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. 7119Discharging a firearm (reckless) · Co. Louth · 28 May 2019

Dundalk man jailed for reckless discharge of firearm at Marian Park in 2019

On 28 May 2019 at around 11pm, William Duffy, a 40-year-old man, fired a gun twice in the direction of Keith Shields, a man, at Marian Park in Dundalk, County Louth. Duffy was originally charged with attempted murder. In July he pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm while reckless as to whether any person would be injured. On 13 November 2023, the Central Criminal Court jailed him for three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • William Duffy pleaded guilty in July to discharging a firearm while reckless as to whether any person would be injured.
  • Shots were fired twice in the direction of Keith Shields.
Where
The shooting happened at Marian Park in Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The shooting happened at around 11pm on 28 May 2019.
Cause
Duffy believed that Keith Shields had treated his partner and children very poorly, but no evidence supported this.
Weapon
Duffy obtained a gun, a scarf and a hoodie before the incident.
Investigation
Duffy's DNA was found on shell casings recovered from the park.
Charges
Duffy was originally charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to a lesser firearms offence.
In court
The sentence was imposed at the Central Criminal Court.
Sentence
Duffy was jailed for three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended.
Other details
  • The maximum penalty for discharging the firearm was seven years.
  • Duffy had 42 previous convictions, 30 of them recorded in England.
  • An assessment found Duffy was not at a high risk of recidivism.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDuffy pleaded guilty in July to discharging a firearm while reckless as to whether any person would be injured. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShots were fired twice in the direction of Keith Shields. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting happened at Marian Park in Dundalk. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting happened at around 11pm on 28 May 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeDuffy believed that Keith Shields had treated his partner and children very poorly, though no evidence supported this. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponDuffy obtained a gun, a scarf and a hoodie before the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDuffy's DNA was found on shell casings recovered from the park. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDuffy was originally charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to a lesser firearms offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe sentence was imposed at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceDuffy was jailed for three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe maximum penalty for the discharge of the firearm was seven years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDuffy had 42 previous convictions, 30 of them recorded in England. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAn assessment found Duffy was not at a high risk of recidivism. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Nov2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Serial offender jailed for inflicting ‘abject terror’ on day of his daughter’s birth

    Reports the Central Criminal Court sentence of Duffy, with details of the offence, the sentence and his previous convictions.

    convicted, William Duffy, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Duffyvictim, Keith Shields, male, irish (judged from name)Keith Shields