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. 8633Unlawful discharge of a firearm · Co. Clare · 30 Nov 2022

Man returned for trial over shotgun discharges in Ennis

James Keenan, 53, of Ennis, was charged with five offences following 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 said Keenan is not part of any feud. Keenan pleaded not guilty at Ennis District Court in June 2026 and was remanded in custody. In October 2026, Judge Adrian Harris returned him for trial to Ennis Circuit Court and issued an alibi warning.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Jun
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two shotguns were allegedly discharged near a housing estate and primary school in Cloughleigh, Ennis.
Where
The discharges are alleged to have occurred at Cloughleigh Road and Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis.
When
The discharges took place on 30 November 2022, with Gardaí receiving a report of trouble around 5pm.
Weapon
A shotgun was used and has never been recovered.
Cause
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, 53, faces five charges including unlawful discharge of a shotgun under Section 8 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, two counts of recklessly discharging a firearm in the direction of Joe Joyce under Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and possession of a shotgun for an unlawful purpose.
In court
  • Keenan pleaded not guilty at Ennis District Court in June 2026 and was remanded in custody.
  • In July 2026, Judge Adrian Harris approved Kathleen Keenan as an independent surety of €12,000 despite Garda objections citing her 30 previous convictions.
  • In October 2026, Judge Harris returned Keenan for trial to Ennis Circuit Court and issued an alibi warning.
Other details
No one was injured in the incident.
33 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)
  • chargeHe faces five charges from two alleged unlawful shotgun discharges in Ennis on 30 November 2022. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with the unlawful discharge of a shotgun being reckless as to whether someone was injured at Cloughleigh Rd and Shallee Drive, Cloughleigh, under Section 8 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeHe faces two charges of recklessly discharging a firearm in the direction of Joe Joyce under Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with having in his possession a shotgun for an unlawful purpose at Cloughleigh Rd, Cloughleigh, Ennis. (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)
  • courtJames Keenan was returned for trial to Ennis Circuit Court at Ennis District Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Harris issued an alibi warning giving his solicitor fourteen days to inform the State if an alibi formed part of his defence. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Harris extended the legal aid certificate for a junior counsel to represent Keenan in the Circuit Court. (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
  1. 13 Oct2026
    In courtclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Ennis man charged in connection with unlawful discharges of shotgun returned for trial - Clare Echo

    Reports that Keenan was returned for trial to Ennis Circuit Court by Judge Adrian Harris, details the specific statutory charges (Sections 8 and 13), names Joe Joyce as the person in whose direction the firearm was discharged, and notes bail conditions including a €12,000 surety from his daughter Kathleen Keenan and an alibi warning.

    accused, James Keenan, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Keenanvictim, Joe Joyce, male, irish (judged from name)Joe Joyce
  2. 12 Jul2026
    In courtclareecho.ie, follow-up
    Judge 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
  3. 8 Jun2026
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    Ennis 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