Sunday 1 November 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. 22202Assault causing harm; unlawful possession of a firearm; possession of petrol bombs · Co. Cork · 29 Apr 2021

Keenan father and son jailed over shotgun discharge at gardaí during Rochestown search

James Keenan and his son Peter Keenan were sentenced at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for their part in an incident on 29 April 2021 when James Keenan fired an improvised shotgun at an ASU garda during a search warrant execution at their home in Rochestown, Cork. James Keenan received nine years' imprisonment and Peter Keenan five years (12 months suspended); sentencing for two other sons was adjourned to 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Feb
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Feb
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
56 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJames Keenan fired a shot from an improvised shotgun at armed gardaí who had gained entry to his home. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGarda Emma Hennebry suffered an injury to her elbow when Keenan fired at her with an improvised shotgun as she was about to enter his sitting room. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe shot hit the door. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGarda Hennebry suffered bruising to her arm. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe family was found in possession of a home-made slam bang shotgun, a second improvised weapon, 20 rounds of ammunition, slash hooks and 23 petrol bombs. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatJames Keenan fired a shot from an improvised shotgun during the search. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe cartridge lodged in a door that had banged close. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatA female ASU member sustained minor injuries to her elbow. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe shot fired by James Keenan missed Garda Hennebry and lodged in the door. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGarda Hennebry sustained soft tissue injuries to her elbow. (irishtimes.com)
  • what23 petrol bombs were found distributed about the house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Island View, Rochestown Road, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe Keenan family home was at Island View, Rochestown, Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe ASU search of the Keenan home took place on 29 April 2021. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenAn ASU team entered the Keenan house at Island View, Rochestown on 29 April 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe improvised firearms could not go off accidentally; the person had to slam a bar into the barrel to detonate the cartridge. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeJames Keenan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Emma Hennebry. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Keenan pleaded guilty to possession of an improvised shotgun with intent to endanger life. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Keenan pleaded guilty to possession of a shotgun cartridge with intent to endanger life. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Keenan pleaded guilty to possession of 23 petrol bombs at his home between 22 and 29 April 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePeter Keenan, John Keenan and Michael James Keenan all pleaded guilty to possession of an improvised shotgun. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePeter Keenan and John Keenan pleaded guilty to possession of shotgun cartridges. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePeter Keenan pleaded guilty to possession of 23 petrol bombs. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Keenan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a garda, possession of an improvised shotgun with intent to endanger life, possession of a shotgun cartridge with intent to endanger life, and possession of 23 petrol bombs. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargePeter Keenan pleaded guilty to possession of an improvised shotgun, possession of shotgun cartridges, and possession of 23 petrol bombs. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeJohn Keenan (26) pleaded guilty to possession of an improvised shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeMichael James Keenan (20) pleaded guilty to having a firearm in suspicious circumstances. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeJames Keenan pleaded guilty to four charges including assault causing harm to Garda Hennebry, unlawful possession of an improvised shotgun and cartridges, and possession of 23 petrol bombs. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePeter Keenan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an improvised firearm, ammunition, and petrol bombs. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJohn Keenan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an improvised firearm and ammunition. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMichael James Keenan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an improvised firearm. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSentencing for John Keenan and Michael James Keenan was adjourned for a year. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtSentencing for John Keenan and Michael James Keenan was adjourned to 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard before Judge Helen Boyle at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJames Keenan was jailed for 10 years with the final year suspended. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentencePeter Keenan was jailed for 5 years with the last year suspended. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceJames Keenan was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentencePeter Keenan was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with 12 months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA feud existed between the Keenan and McDonagh families in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKeenan told gardaí he was greatly in fear of an attack from the McDonaghs. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Keenans had petrol bombs stored on the upstairs landing ready to be thrown at attackers. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe only recorded attack on the property was on 16 September 2020 when three men with slashhooks smashed car windows. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJames Keenan is a father of 10. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJames Keenan had no previous convictions for firearm offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKeenan apologised immediately after realising he had fired at gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Garda Armed Support Unit went to the Keenan home to secure the property so detectives could carry out a search. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Keenan family had a long-running feud with the McDonagh family. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherJames Keenan had 45 previous convictions according to Judge Boyle, and 49 according to Det Insp Coholan. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherPeter Keenan had 32 previous convictions according to Judge Boyle, and 34 according to Det Insp Coholan. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherJohn Keenan had 29 previous convictions. (corkbeo.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichael James Keenan had no previous convictions. (corkbeo.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe family had a CCTV system covering approaches to the property including the front door. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherJames Keenan had 49 previous convictions, none for firearm offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPeter Keenan had 34 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Keenans were in a feud with the McDonaghs at the time of the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe ASU team was under the command of Sgt Brian Teahan. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Feb2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Gardaí under fire more like ‘downtown LA’ than Cork, says judge, as she jails father and son

    Sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. James Keenan jailed for nine years, Peter Keenan for five years (12 months suspended). Sentencing for John Keenan and Michael James Keenan adjourned to 2024. Judge Helen Boyle compared the incident to downtown LA.

    convicted, James Keenan, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Keenanconvicted, Peter Keenan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Keenanconvicted, John Keenan, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Keenanconvicted, Michael James Keenan, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael James Keenanvictim, Emma Hennebry, female, irish (judged from name)Emma Hennebry
  2. 24 Feb2023
    Sentencedcorkbeo.ie, follow-up
    Cork father and son jailed after shot fired at gardai and 23 petrol bombs found

    Sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Helen Boyle. James Keenan jailed 10 years (1 suspended), Peter Keenan jailed 5 years (1 suspended). Sentencing for sons John Keenan (26) and Michael James Keenan (20) adjourned for a year. Family had a long-running feud with the McDonagh family.

    convicted, James Keenan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Keenanconvicted, Peter Keenan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Keenanconvicted, John Keenan, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Keenanconvicted, Michael James Keenan, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael James Keenanvictim, female
  3. 23 Feb2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Tensions high in Cork feud when shot was fired at gardaí, court hears

    Plea hearing details: all four Keenans pleaded guilty; defence argued the feud context, lack of common design, and Peter Keenan's prompt compliance; Judge Helen Boyle adjourned sentencing to Friday.

    victim, Emma Hennebry, female, irish (judged from name)Emma Hennebryaccused, James Keenan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Keenanaccused, Peter Keenan, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Keenanaccused, John Keenan, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Keenanaccused, Michael James Keenan, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael James Keenan