Ireland Case No. 8633Unlawful discharge of a firearm · Co. Clare · 30 Nov 2022
Man remanded over shotgun discharge near Ennis school
James Keenan, a 53-year-old man from Ennis, Co. Clare, is charged with five offences arising from two alleged shotgun discharges near a housing estate and primary school in Cloughleigh, Ennis, on 30 November 2022. No one was injured, and Gardaí were aware of an ongoing feud between the Keenan and Joyce families, though the defence says Keenan is not part of it. He pleaded not guilty at Ennis District Court in June 2026 and was remanded in custody, later securing conditional bail in the High Court. On 12 July 2026, Judge Adrian Harris approved his daughter Kathleen Keenan as an independent surety of €12,000 despite Garda objections and remanded him in custody with consent to bail, with a further appearance by video-link scheduled.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court8 Jun
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two alleged shotgun discharges occurred near a housing estate and primary school in Ennis, Co. Clare, and no one was injured.
- Where
- The discharges are alleged to have taken place at Cloughleigh Road and Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis.
- When
- The discharges happened on 30 November 2022, with Gardaí receiving a report of trouble around 5pm.
- Weapon
- A shotgun was used and has never been recovered.
- Investigation
- Gardaí were aware of an ongoing feud between the Keenan and Joyce families, though the defence said Keenan is not part of any feud.
- Charges
- James Keenan is charged with five offences including unlawful discharge of a shotgun reckless as to injury under Section 8 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, two counts of recklessly discharging a firearm in the direction of Joe Joyce, and having a shotgun for an unlawful purpose.
- In court
- Keenan pleaded not guilty at Ennis District Court in June 2026, was refused bail and remanded in custody, and later secured conditional bail in the High Court.
- On 12 July 2026, Judge Adrian Harris approved Kathleen Keenan as an independent surety of €12,000 despite Det Garda Kevin Hooban's objection citing her 30 previous convictions, and remanded Keenan in custody with consent to bail.
- Other details
- The defence said Keenan intends to go forward to trial on a not guilty basis.
26 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe shootings were near an Ennis housing estate and primary school. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe shotgun discharges are alleged to have happened at Cloughleigh Road and Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe discharges happened on 30 November 2022. (clareecho.ie)
- whenGardaí received a report of trouble around 5pm. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe two alleged shotgun discharges took place in Ennis on 30 November 2022. (clareecho.ie)
- weaponThe shotgun has never been recovered. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationGardaí were aware of an ongoing feud between the Keenan and Joyce families. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with five offences linked to the two discharges. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with unlawfully discharging a shotgun while reckless as to whether someone was injured. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with recklessly discharging a firearm in the direction of Joe Joyce. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with having a shotgun in his possession for an unlawful purpose. (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)
- courtHe pleaded not guilty to each charge after caution. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe judge refused bail and remanded him in custody. (clareecho.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear by video-link from prison at Ennis District Court next Wednesday. (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)
- otherNo one was hurt in the incident, according to the solicitor and the garda. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe defence said he is not part of any ongoing feud. (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 - 8 Jun2026Ennis man (53) appears in court over shotgun fire near school - Clare Echo
First report of the court appearance. Adds the charges, the alleged feud background, the not guilty plea, the refusal of bail and the remand in custody.
accused, James Keenan, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Keenan