Friday 30 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. 13428Threatening to kill · Co. Limerick · 21 Feb 2024

Limerick man jailed for threatening to kill garda giving evidence in trial

On 21 February 2024, Shane Ryan Casey, a 30-year-old man from Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city, threatened to kill garda Sean O'Connor while the garda was giving evidence in a criminal trial at Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street. Casey was arrested and did not co-operate with the interview process. He pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the garda. On 19 June 2025 Judge Fiona O'Sullivan gave him a two-year prison sentence, to be served consecutively to a three-year term imposed in 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Shane Ryan Casey pleaded guilty to threatening to kill garda Sean O'Connor.
  • Casey made a throat-slitting motion and mouthed the word dead while the garda was giving evidence.
  • Casey spat at the garda as he was led out of court.
Where
The threat took place at Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street, where the trial was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
When
The threat took place on 21 February 2024.
Investigation
Casey was arrested and did not co-operate with the interview process.
In court
Judge Fiona O'Sullivan presided over the sentencing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • On 19 June 2025 Casey was given a two-year prison sentence.
  • The two-year sentence is to be served consecutively to a three-year term imposed in 2024.
Other details
  • Casey has 170 previous convictions.
  • The judge said there was no victim impact statement because the garda declined to make one.
  • Casey's mitigating factors included his guilty plea.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCasey pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Garda Sean O’Connor. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatCasey spat at the garda as he was led out of court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe threat happened at Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe threat happened on 21 February 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationCasey did not co-operate with the interview process after his arrest. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Fiona O'Sullivan gave Casey a two-year prison sentence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe two-year sentence is to be served consecutively to a three-year term imposed in 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCasey made a throat-slitting motion while the garda was giving evidence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCasey mouthed the word dead. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCasey has 170 previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge said there was no victim impact statement because the garda declined to make one. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherCasey's mitigating factors included his guilty plea. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Jun2025
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man jailed after making throat-slitting motion at garda during criminal trial

    Reports the sentencing of Shane Ryan Casey for threatening to kill a garda giving evidence at his earlier trial, including the gestures made in court and the consecutive sentence.

    convicted, Shane Ryan Casey, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Ryan Caseyvictim, Sean O'Connor, male, irish (judged from name)Sean O'Connor