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. 9284Murder · Co. Limerick · 7 Jun 1996

Garda Jerry McCabe murder investigation remains open 30 years after Adare shooting

On 7 June 1996, Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was shot dead by an IRA gang during a raid on a post office in Adare, County Limerick, and his partner, Detective Ben O'Sullivan, was seriously wounded. Four people were convicted of manslaughter in 1999. Mr O'Sullivan died in 2022. On the 30th anniversary in June 2026, Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said the investigation remains live and gardaí are still anxious to speak with people, and no new arrests or charges have been reported.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was shot dead by an IRA gang during a raid on a post office in Adare, County Limerick.
  • Detective Ben O'Sullivan was McCabe's partner on duty and was seriously wounded in the shooting.
Where
The shooting took place in Adare, County Limerick.
When
The shooting happened on 7 June 1996, when the van McCabe and his partner were escorting stopped at Adare.
Cause
A Provisional IRA unit crashed a Jeep into the rear of the detectives' unmarked patrol car.
Weapon
Occupants of another vehicle that arrived opened fire on the garda car.
In court
Four people were convicted of manslaughter in relation to the killing in 1999.
Other details
  • Ben O'Sullivan died in 2022.
  • The coverage marks the 30th anniversary; the tracker dates it 1 June 2026, while the article byline gives 7 June 2026.
Investigation
  • Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said the investigation is very much a live investigation and gardaí are still anxious to speak with people.
  • No new arrests or charges are reported in the latest coverage.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDetective Garda McCabe was shot dead by an IRA gang during a raid on the post office in Adare, Co Limerick, in 1996. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatA Provisional IRA unit crashed a Jeep into the rear of the detectives’ unmarked patrol car. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatAnother vehicle arrived and its occupants opened fire on the garda car, killing Mr McCabe and seriously wounding Mr O’Sullivan. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenMr McCabe was on duty with his partner Detective Ben O’Sullivan on 7 June 1996 when the van they were escorting stopped at Adare. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationChief Superintendent Derek Smart said the investigation is very much a live investigation and gardaí are still anxious to speak with people. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFour people were convicted of manslaughter in relation to the killing in 1999. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBen O’Sullivan died in 2022. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    Otherthejournal.ie, first report
    Garda Jerry McCabe murder investigation ‘very much live’ 30 years on from Limerick shooting

    Thirty-year anniversary article on a 1996 killing; the investigation is described as live, and four people were convicted of manslaughter in 1999. No new arrests or charges are reported.

    victim, Jerry McCabe, male, irish (judged from name)Jerry McCabevictim, Ben O'Sullivan, irish (judged from name)Ben O'Sullivanconvictedconvictedconvictedconvicted