Ireland Judge approves surety for man charged over Ennis shotgun discharges
James Keenan, a 53-year-old man, is charged over two alleged shotgun discharges on 30 November 2022 at Cloughleigh Road and Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, County Clare, in the direction of Joe Joyce. He is charged with unlawful discharge of a shotgun, being reckless as to whether someone was injured, under Section 8 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, and with having a shotgun in his possession for an unlawful purpose. He was refused bail when first charged before the district court and later secured conditional bail in the High Court, which required an independent surety of €12,000 approved by a district court judge. At Ennis District Court, Judge Adrian Harris approved his daughter Kathleen Keenan as independent surety despite a Garda objection citing her 30 previous convictions. The latest development, reported on 12 July 2026, is that Judge Harris remanded him in custody with consent to bail, to appear again at Ennis District Court the following Wednesday.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court12 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two alleged unlawful discharges of a shotgun took place close to an Ennis housing estate and primary school.
- Where
- The alleged discharges happened at Cloughleigh Road and Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, County Clare.
- When
- The alleged discharges took place on 30 November 2022.
- Weapon
- The weapon involved is a shotgun.
- Charges
- James Keenan is charged with unlawful discharge of a shotgun, being reckless as to whether someone was injured, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
- James Keenan faces two charges of recklessly discharging a firearm in the direction of Joe Joyce.
- James Keenan is charged with having a shotgun in his possession for an unlawful purpose.
- In court
- James Keenan was refused bail when first charged before the district court.
- James Keenan later secured conditional bail in the High Court, with an independent surety of €12,000 approved by a district court judge as one condition.
- Judge Adrian Harris approved Kathleen Keenan as independent surety at Ennis District Court, despite an objection from Det Garda Kevin Hooban citing her 30 previous convictions.
- Judge Harris remanded James Keenan in custody with consent to bail, to appear again at Ennis District Court the following Wednesday.
- Other details
- The defence said Kathleen Keenan's surety money came from a personal injuries award.
- The defence said James Keenan intends to go forward to trial on a not guilty basis.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe shotgun discharges are alleged to have happened at Cloughleigh Road and Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe two alleged shotgun discharges took place in Ennis on 30 November 2022. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeJames Keenan is charged with unlawful discharge of a shotgun, being reckless as to whether someone was injured, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeJames Keenan faces two charges of recklessly discharging a firearm in the direction of Joe Joyce. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeJames Keenan is charged with having a shotgun in his possession for an unlawful purpose. (clareecho.ie)
- courtJames Keenan was refused bail when first charged before the district court and later secured conditional bail in the High Court. (clareecho.ie)
- courtJudge Adrian Harris approved Kathleen Keenan as independent surety at Ennis District Court. (clareecho.ie)
- courtDet Garda Kevin Hooban objected to Kathleen Keenan acting as surety, citing her 30 previous convictions. (clareecho.ie)
- courtJudge Harris remanded James Keenan in custody with consent to bail, to appear again at Ennis District Court the following Wednesday. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe High Court bail conditions included an independent surety of €12,000 approved by a district court judge. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe defence said Kathleen Keenan's surety money came from a personal injuries award. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe defence said James Keenan intends to go forward to trial on a not guilty basis. (clareecho.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Jul2026Judge approves daughter of suspected Ennis 'shooter' as independent surety despite Garda objections - Clare Echo
Reports the district court approval of Kathleen Keenan as independent surety for James Keenan, the Garda objection to her based on her previous convictions, the High Court bail conditions, and the remand in custody. Also sets out the charges and locations.
accused, James Keenan, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Keenan