Ireland Getaway drivers jailed over Limerick shootings
Shane Blackhall, 21, was the driver of a Volkswagen Scirocco used in a drive-by shooting on a Collins family home on Hyde Avenue, Limerick, on 6 January 2025. On 8 May 2025 shots were fired at several houses on Hyde Avenue, and John O'Donovan, 19, was the driver of a Lexus that met the hit team nearby before an Audi was set on fire. Blackhall pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and to possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply, and O'Donovan pleaded guilty to participating in activity facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation. The Special Criminal Court in Dublin sentenced Blackhall to eight years with the final two suspended and O'Donovan to seven years with the final year suspended, both backdated, to 10 June and 15 June 2025 respectively. The latest development, reported on 27 July 2026, is these sentences, although the article's standfirst gives six years for each man.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced27 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Shots were fired at a Collins family home on Hyde Avenue, Limerick, in a drive-by shooting on 6 January 2025.
- On 8 May 2025, shots were fired at several houses on Hyde Avenue, Limerick.
- Where
- Both shootings took place on Hyde Avenue, Limerick.
- Cause
- The judge said the O'Donoghue group has been in a violent feud with the Collins organised crime group since 2022.
- Weapon
- Shots from a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol were fired from the front passenger seat of the Volkswagen Scirocco.
- Investigation
- Blackhall's DNA was found on the driver's side airbag of the Volkswagen Scirocco.
- Gardaí searching Blackhall's home found cocaine, heroin and herbal cannabis.
- Charges
- Blackhall pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm on 6 January 2025 at Hyde Avenue, Limerick.
- Blackhall pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply.
- O'Donovan pleaded guilty to participating in activity facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation between 26 April and 8 May 2025.
- In court
- The sentencing took place at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
- Sentence
- Blackhall was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final two years suspended for three years, backdated to 10 June 2025; the standfirst gives six years.
- O'Donovan was sentenced to seven years, with the final year suspended, backdated to 15 June 2025; the standfirst gives six years.
- Other details
- The feud has led to 36 shootings and various attacks using explosives.
- The judge found O'Donovan's assistance was significant in the lead-up to and on the day of the shooting, and credited both men for their early guilty pleas in mitigation.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatLate at night on 8 May 2025, shots were fired at several houses on Hyde Avenue. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereBlackhall was the driver of a Volkswagen Scirocco used in a drive-by shooting on a Collins family home on Hyde Avenue, Limerick, on 6 January 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeThe judge said the O'Donoghue group has been in a violent feud with the Collins organised crime group since 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- weaponA 9mm bullets were fired from a Glock semi-automatic pistol from the front passenger seat. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationBlackhall's DNA was found on the driver's side airbag of the Volkswagen. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí searching Blackhall's home found cocaine, heroin and herbal cannabis. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeBlackhall pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm on 6 January at Hyde Avenue, Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeBlackhall pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeO'Donovan pleaded guilty to participating in activity facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation between 26 April and 8 May 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceBlackhall was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final two years suspended for three years. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceBlackhall's sentence was backdated to 10 June 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceO'Donovan was sentenced to seven years, with the final year suspended, backdated to 15 June 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe feud has led to 36 shootings and various attacks using explosives. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherO'Donovan was the driver of a Lexus that met the 'hit team' nearby before the Audi was set on fire. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge found O'Donovan's assistance was significant in the lead-up to and on the day of the shooting. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge credited both men for their early guilty pleas in mitigation. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Jul2026Getaway drivers jailed for involvement in Limerick shootings
Sentencing of two men for shootings on Hyde Avenue on 6 January 2025 and 8 May 2025. The standfirst says each got six years, but the body gives eight years for Blackhall and seven years for O'Donovan; the body figures are recorded here.
convicted, Shane Blackhall, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Blackhallconvicted, John O'Donovan, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donovan