Thursday 29 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. 7663Firearm possession and criminal organisation offences · Co. Limerick

Two getaway drivers jailed over Limerick feud shootings

Shots were fired at several houses on Hyde Avenue, Limerick, late at night on May 8, 2025, from a Volkswagen Scirocco driven by Shane Blackhall, 21, in a feud between the O'Donoghue and Collins organised crime groups. On June 10, 2025, Blackhall pleaded guilty at Mungret Court to possessing cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply, and to possessing a firearm at Hyde Avenue. John O'Donovan, 19, pleaded guilty to facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation, namely possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, between April 26 and May 8, 2025. On July 28, 2026, the Special Criminal Court sentenced each man to six years in prison.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John O'Donovan, 19, and Shane Blackhall, 21, were third-tier members of the O'Donoghue organised crime group, described in court as fixers and enforcers.
  • The O'Donoghue group has been in a violent feud with the Collins organised crime group since 2022, which the judge said has led to 36 shootings and various attacks using explosives.
  • One shooting was recorded from inside the stolen car, and the footage later went viral on social media.
  • O'Donovan was the driver of a Lexus that met the hit team before they set an Audi on fire.
  • Blackhall crashed the car into a lamp post at a busy roundabout five minutes away.
When
Shots were fired at various houses on Hyde Avenue, Limerick, late at night on May 8, 2025.
Where
Blackhall was the driver of a Volkswagen Scirocco used in a drive-by shooting on Hyde Avenue, Limerick.
Weapon
The front passenger fired 9mm bullets from a Glock semi-automatic pistol, and ballistics experts confirmed the same pistol was used in both attacks.
Other details
  • The firearm has never been recovered.
  • O'Donovan has 30 previous convictions for misuse of drugs, criminal damage and road traffic offences.
Investigation
  • Blackhall's DNA was found on the driver's side airbag of the Volkswagen.
  • Cocaine, heroin and herbal cannabis were found at Blackhall's home.
Charges
  • Blackhall pleaded guilty at Mungret Court on June 10, 2025, to possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply, and seven other counts were taken into consideration.
  • Blackhall pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm at Hyde Avenue, Limerick, with the sources giving the date as January 6, while the shootings are dated May 8, 2025.
  • O'Donovan pleaded guilty to facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation, namely possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, between April 26 and May 8, 2025, and three further charges were taken into account.
Sentence
On July 28, 2026, the Special Criminal Court sentenced both Blackhall and O'Donovan to six years in prison each.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo getaway drivers were sentenced to six years in prison by the Special Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOne shooting was recorded from inside the stolen car and went viral on social media (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Donovan and Blackhall were third-tier members of the O'Donoghue organised crime group (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe O'Donoghue group has been in a violent feud with the Collins organised crime group since 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe feud has led to 36 shootings and various attacks using explosives (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBlackhall crashed the car into a lampost at a busy roundabout five minutes away (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCocaine, heroin and herbal cannabis were found at Blackhall's home (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe firearm has never been recovered (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Donovan was the driver of a Lexus that met the hit team before they set the Audi on fire (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereBlackhall was the driver of a Volkswagen Scirocco used in a drive-by shooting on Hyde Avenue, Limerick (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenLate at night on May 8, 2025, shots were fired at various houses on Hyde Avenue (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe front passenger fired 9mm calibre bullets from a Glock semi-automatic pistol (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponBallistics experts confirmed the same Glock pistol was used in both attacks (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationBlackhall's DNA was found on the driver's side airbag of the Volkswagen (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBlackhall pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply at Mungret Court on June 10, 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBlackhall pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm on January 6 at Hyde Avenue in Limerick (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeSeven other counts were taken into consideration for Blackhall (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeO'Donovan pleaded guilty to facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation, namely possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, between April 26 and May 8, 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThree further charges were taken into account for O'Donovan (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherO'Donovan has 30 previous convictions for misuse of drugs, criminal damage and road traffic offences (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jul2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Getaway drivers jailed over attack that ended up on social media

    Sentencing details for both drivers, including the gang feud context, the viral video of the second shooting, and the drugs found at Blackhall's home.

    convicted, John O'Donovan, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donovanconvicted, Shane Blackhall, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Blackhall