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. 21460Reckless discharge of a firearm; possession of a firearm · Co. Limerick · 11 Jun 2020

Limerick man jailed for reckless shooting that injured his friend in car

On 11 June 2020 a shotgun was fired at Long Pavement, Watch House Cross, Limerick, injuring Alan Murphy, a man and friend of Paul Coffey, a 46-year-old man. Gardaí linked Coffey to the shooting through CCTV and firearms residue evidence, arrested him and interviewed him 17 times, and the DPP dropped an attempted murder charge. Coffey pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and to possession of a firearm, and on 18 April 2023 Mr Justice Paul Burns at the Central Criminal Court sentenced him to six years, with the final 12 months suspended for three years on the possession charge, and three years concurrent for reckless discharge. The sentence is backdated to August 2021, and on release Coffey must work with the probation services and keep the peace.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced18 Apr
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Paul Coffey pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and to possession of a firearm in circumstances suggesting he did not have it for a lawful purpose.
  • A shotgun was fired and injured Alan Murphy, Coffey's friend.
Where
  • The shooting took place at Long Pavement, Watch House Cross, Limerick.
  • Murphy drove to Castle Street, near King John's Castle, and raised the alarm.
When
The offence took place on 11 June 2020.
Weapon
The weapon was a shotgun.
Cause
Defence counsel said the gun discharged as Coffey tried to remove it from the car.
Investigation
  • CCTV footage and firearms residue evidence linked Coffey to the shooting, and gardaí arrested him and interviewed him 17 times.
  • In interview Coffey denied any involvement and remained silent when asked to account for his presence at the scene.
Charges
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the attempted murder charge and accepted a guilty plea to reckless discharge of a firearm.
  • Coffey's guilty plea was reported as made 'last Month' in one article and 'last March' in another.
In court
Mr Justice Paul Burns sentenced Coffey at the Central Criminal Court on 18 April 2023.
Sentence
  • Coffey received six years, with the final 12 months suspended for three years, on the possession charge, and three years for reckless discharge, to run concurrently.
  • The judge set a headline sentence of nine years and reduced it after considering mitigating factors including the guilty plea.
  • The sentence is backdated to August 2021, when Coffey first went into custody, and on release he must work with the probation services and keep the peace.
Other details
Murphy was treated at Limerick University Hospital for superficial abdominal injuries.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCoffey pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and to possession of a firearm. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA shotgun was fired and injured Coffey's friend. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatPaul Coffey pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and to possession of a firearm in circumstances suggesting he did not have it for a lawful purpose. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe victim raised the alarm after driving to Castle Street, near King John's Castle. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe shooting took place at Long Pavement, Watch House Cross, Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe shooting happened at Long Pavement, Watch House Cross, Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on June 11, 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe shooting happened on 11 June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponA shotgun was fired accidentally, injuring Coffey's friend. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage and firearms residue evidence linked Coffey to the shooting. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Coffey and interviewed him 17 times. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationCoffey was linked to the shooting by CCTV footage and firearms residue evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the attempted murder charge. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe DPP dropped the attempted murder charge and accepted a guilty plea to discharging a firearm, being reckless as to whether any person would be injured. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul Burns sentenced Coffey at the Central Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtCoffey denied any involvement in interview and remained silent when asked to account for his presence at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCoffey received six years with the final 12 months suspended for three years for the possession charge. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceCoffey received three years for reckless discharge, to run concurrently. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe headline sentence was nine years, reduced for mitigating factors including the guilty plea. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences were backdated to August 2021, when Coffey first went into custody. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceOn release Coffey must work with the probation services and keep the peace. (limerickleader.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCoffey was sentenced to six years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for three years on the possession charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of nine years and reduced it after considering mitigating factors including Coffey's guilty plea. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCoffey's sentence is backdated to August 2021, when he first went into custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim was treated at Limerick University Hospital for superficial abdominal injuries. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the gun discharged as Coffey tried to remove it from the car. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherAt the time of the offence Coffey was homeless and using crack cocaine and heroin, and is now drug-free in prison. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherAlan Murphy was treated at Limerick University Hospital for superficial injuries to his abdomen. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Apr2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Convicted killer who was getaway driver in murder that sparked feud is jailed

    Reports the sentencing of Paul Coffey at the Central Criminal Court, the judge's reduced headline sentence, the backdating of the sentence, and the release conditions. It also says the charge was downgraded from attempted murder and describes the evidence and the injuries to Alan Murphy.

    convicted, Paul Coffey, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Coffeyvictim, Alan Murphy, male, irish (judged from name)Alan Murphy
  2. 18 Apr2023
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick criminal jailed for 'accidentally' shooting his friend in car

    Sentencing report at the Central Criminal Court. Coffey pleaded guilty to reckless discharge and firearm possession after an attempted murder charge was dropped. The article also reports the defence account that the gun discharged as Coffey tried to remove it from the car.

    convicted, Paul Coffey, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Coffeyvictim, Alan Murphy, male, irish (judged from name)Alan Murphy