Saturday 31 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. 17994Attempted murder · Co. Limerick · 27 Jun 2015

Limerick criminal sentenced for getaway car in attempted murder of Christy Keane

Two gunmen in balaclavas fired 13 rounds from a red Ford Focus into Christy Keane's Nissan pickup truck, wounding him in four places, in an attack linked to a long-running feud between the Keane-Collopy and McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisations. The shooting took place between 27 and 29 June 2015 near the University of Limerick, Limerick City. Larry McCarthy, 45, from Limerick City, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to making a vehicle available to a criminal organisation, having positioned a white Volvo Estate as a getaway car the evening before the shooting. The Special Criminal Court, presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, heard a pre-sentence hearing in February 2024 and in March 2024 imposed a headline sentence of 10 years, reduced to eight years with 18 months suspended, for an effective term of six-and-a-half years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Feb
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two gunmen in balaclavas fired 13 rounds from a red Ford Focus into Christy Keane's Nissan pickup truck, wounding him in four places: three to the upper arm or wrist and one to the lower back that punctured a lung.
Where
The shooting took place near the University of Limerick, Limerick City, and the getaway cars were burned out on the outskirts of the city.
When
The offence took place between 27 and 29 June 2015; Keane arrived at the University of Limerick gym on 29 June 2015 at 6.30am.
Cause
The shooting was motivated by a rivalry between the Keane-Collopy and McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisations, a feud dating back to 1993 when Patrick McCarthy was killed.
Weapon
A Glock semi-automatic pistol was found in the Ford Focus and a Luger in the Volvo, both forensically linked to the shooting of Christy Keane.
Investigation
McCarthy and another man travelled to Dublin a week before the shooting, where the second man picked up the Volvo and drove it to Limerick, followed by McCarthy, who positioned the Volvo the evening before the shooting for the gunmen's escape.
Charges
McCarthy pleaded guilty in October 2023 to making a vehicle available to a criminal organisation under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years.
In court
The case was heard in the three-judge Special Criminal Court before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs; a pre-sentence hearing took place on 26 February 2024 and was adjourned to 11 March 2024.
Sentence
The court set a headline sentence of 10 years, reduced by 20% to eight years, with the final 18 months suspended subject to good behaviour and probation supervision, giving an effective term of six-and-a-half years.
Other details
  • McCarthy had 14 previous convictions including violent disorder and assault causing harm, and received an 11-year sentence from a UK court in July 2005 for possession of a Mac 11 gun.
  • McCarthy had already spent two years, seven months and 20 days in custody, which counts as time served.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLarry McCarthy, 45, from Tower Lodge, Old Court Road, Limerick City, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to making a vehicle available to the McCarthy-Dundons criminal organisation. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe McCarthy-Dundon and Keane-Collopy gangs have been in an infamous feud dating back to 1993 when Patrick McCarthy was killed. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatChristy Keane was acquitted of Patrick McCarthy's murder, but his brother Kieran Keane was later murdered, and five members of the Dundon-McCarthy gang have been convicted in relation to that. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatTwo gunmen wearing balaclavas got out of a red Ford Focus and fired 13 rounds into Keane's Nissan pickup truck as he sat in the driver's seat. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatKeane was treated for four gunshot wounds: three to the upper arm or wrist and one to the lower back that punctured a lung. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe Ford Focus was burned out and the gunmen transferred to a white Volvo Estate car which was also set on fire on the outskirts of Limerick City. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMcCarthy and another man travelled from Limerick to Dublin one week before the shooting, where the second man picked up the Volvo and drove it to Limerick, followed by McCarthy. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMcCarthy was involved in putting the Volvo in position the evening before the shooting, ready for the gunmen to use for their escape. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMcCarthy provided a getaway car for the attempted murder of Christy Keane. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe attempted murder was connected to the feud in Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn June 29, 2015 at 6.30am, Christy Keane arrived at the University of Limerick gym where he regularly attended in the mornings. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place between 27 and 29 June 2015. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe shooting was motivated by a rivalry between the Keane-Collopy and McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisations. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponA Glock semi-automatic pistol was found in the Ford Focus and a Luger in the Volvo, both forensically linked to the shooting of Christy Keane. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe offence is contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcCarthy pleaded guilty to making a vehicle available to a criminal organisation used as a getaway vehicle in the attempted murder of Keane. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs presided in the three-judge Special Criminal Court and adjourned the matter until March 11 for sentencing. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe sentence was imposed by the Special Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 10 years' imprisonment. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was reduced by 20% to eight years' imprisonment in mitigation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe final 18 months of the eight-year sentence were suspended, subject to good behaviour and probation supervision. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceMcCarthy had already spent two years, seven months and 20 days in custody, which counts as time served. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy has 14 previous convictions including for violent disorder and assault causing harm, and in July 2005 received an eleven-year sentence from a UK court for possession of a Mac 11 gun. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherChristy Keane was invited to offer a victim impact statement but none was forthcoming. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherSince moving to Donegal, McCarthy enjoys a close relationship with his wife and three children; his daughter is studying law, one son spent three years in the British Army, and the other works in the north west. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA psychologist's report concluded that McCarthy does not pose a significant risk to the public and is unlikely to reoffend. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy's guilty plea was of great assistance to the court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherA psychologist's report found McCarthy was not a significant risk of reoffending. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy has 14 previous convictions, including violent disorder and assault causing harm. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy was 45 years old. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Mar2024
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick feud criminal jailed for role in attempted murder of crime boss Christy Keane

    Sentencing report for a different accused than existing case 7766 (Noel Price) in the same 2015 attempted murder; no existing case covers McCarthy's sentencing.

    convicted, 'Red' Larry McCarthy, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)'Red' Larry McCarthyvictim, Christy Keane, irish (judged from name)Christy Keane
  2. 26 Feb2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Getaway car provider in criminal's attempted murder 'turned life around' in Donegal

    Reports the pre-sentence hearing on 26 February 2024, detailing the full prosecution case (13 rounds fired, two getaway cars, weapons forensically linked) and defence mitigation (psychologist's report, family life in Donegal, 'Damascus Road experience'), with sentencing adjourned to 11 March 2024.

    victim, Christy Keane, male, irish (judged from name)Christy Keaneconvicted, Larry McCarthy, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry McCarthy