Ireland Case No. 7663Firearm possession and criminal organisation offences · Co. Limerick
Two Limerick men jailed over firearm and criminal organisation charges
On 8 May 2025, a masked gunman driving a stolen Audi A4 fired multiple shots from a semi-automatic handgun at occupied homes on Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, in an attack linked to a feud between the O'Donoghue and Collins organised crime groups. The footage was recorded on a phone and shared on social media, and no injuries were reported. John O'Donovan, 19, and Shane Blackhall, 21, both men and third-tier members of the O'Donoghue group, were charged in connection with the shooting and related offences. O'Donovan pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to facilitating a criminal organisation's possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, while Blackhall pleaded guilty to drug possession and firearm charges. In July 2026, both men were sentenced to six years in prison by the Special Criminal Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged16 Jun
- In court16 Jun
5 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced27 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A masked gunman driving a stolen Audi A4 fired multiple shots from a semi-automatic handgun at occupied homes on Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, on 8 May 2025.
- The attack was recorded on a phone and shared on social media, and no injuries were reported.
- A black Audi A4 and a white Lexus NX 300h were stolen in Dublin on 25 April 2025 and driven to Limerick for the shooting.
- Where
- The Audi was set on fire and the Lexus was found burned out in Murroe, Co Limerick.
- Cause
- The shooting was linked to a violent feud between the O'Donoghue and Collins organised crime groups that has led to 36 shootings and various attacks using explosives since 2022.
- Weapon
- A Glock semi-automatic pistol firing 9mm calibre bullets was used, and ballistics experts confirmed the same pistol was used in both attacks.
- Investigation
- Gardaí allege O'Donovan supplied fuel to torch the stolen Audi and was captured on CCTV buying gloves and placing petrol in the stolen Lexus.
- Charges
- O'Donovan was charged with three counts of using or possessing stolen cars, one count of arson, and facilitating a criminal organisation's possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- Blackhall was charged with possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply, possession of a firearm, and unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle.
- In court
- Both men were ordered to be tried before the Special Criminal Court in March 2026.
- Sentence
- O'Donovan pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation's possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and Blackhall pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges; both were sentenced to six years in prison in July 2026.
- Other details
- O'Donovan and Blackhall were third-tier members of the O'Donoghue organised crime group.
91 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA masked gunman fired multiple shots at occupied homes. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe attack was recorded on a phone and shared on social media. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThere were no reports of injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- whatO'Donovan's mobile phone was turned off prior to the shooting and turned back on after it. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA masked gunman driving a stolen Audi fired multiple shots from a handgun at houses on the Hyde Road. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatA number of houses at Hyde Road were fired upon from a shooter driving a stolen Audi on May 8 (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe homes were occupied at the time but nobody was injured (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe drive-by attack was video recorded and shared on social media (limerickpost.ie)
- whatA black Audi A4 and a white Lexus NX 300h were stolen in Dublin on April 25 (limerickpost.ie)
- whatTwo Limerick men will stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on firearm charges. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatO'Donovan pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to helping a criminal gang possess a firearm with intent to endanger life. (limerickleader.ie)
- 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)
- whereThe shots were fired at homes on Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, in Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereA masked man driving a stolen Audi A4 fired multiple shots at homes at Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe stolen cars were driven to Junction 14 service station in Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe Lexus was found burned out in Murroe, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe stolen cars were driven to Junction 14 service station at Monasterevin, County Kildare (limerickpost.ie)
- whereO'Donovan lives in Valley View, O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe drug offences took place at Mungret Court. (gript.ie)
- whereBlackhall was the driver of a Volkswagen Scirocco used in a drive-by shooting on Hyde Avenue, Limerick (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe shooting took place on 8 May 2025. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe gun attack occurred on 8 May 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenA black Audi A4 and a white Lexus NX were stolen in Dublin on 25 April 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack occurred on Thursday, May 8. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe offence is alleged to have taken place between 26 April and 8 May 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe drug offences took place on 10 June 2025. (gript.ie)
- whenLate at night on May 8, 2025, shots were fired at various houses on Hyde Avenue (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe shooting was linked to a violent feud between the Collins family and the O'Donoghue organised crime group. (limerickpost.ie)
- causeGardaí allege the accused is actively involved in an ongoing violent feud in Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeThe offences were related to an ongoing gang feud. (gript.ie)
- weaponThe gunman used a semi-automatic handgun. (limerickpost.ie)
- weaponA semi-automatic firearm was discharged at occupied homes on the Hyde Road. (limerickleader.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)
- investigationGardaí allege O'Donovan was involved in a feud between rival crime groups. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationThe drive-by attack was recorded on a mobile phone and shared on social media. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationA black Audi A4 and a white Lexus NX 300h were stolen in Dublin on 25 April. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationO'Donovan was arrested as part of the investigation into the shooting. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí allege O'Donovan supplied the fuel used to torch the stolen Audi. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí allege O'Donovan was captured on CCTV buying gloves and placing petrol in the stolen Lexus. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí allege he supplied the fuel used to torch the stolen Audi. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationMr O’Donovan was arrested as part of the investigation into the shooting. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationBlackhall's DNA was found on the driver's side airbag of the Volkswagen (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeO'Donovan is accused of three counts of using or possessing cars stolen from Dublin and used in the shooting. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeO'Donovan is also charged with one count of arson in respect of the car allegedly used in the shooting. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeJohn O’Donovan is charged with three counts of using or possessing cars stolen from Dublin and used in the shooting. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeHe is also charged with one count of arson in respect of the car gardaí allege was used in the shooting. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeHe is accused of three counts of using or possessing stolen cars used by the gun attack perpetrators (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with one count of arson in respect of the car used in the shooting (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeOne of the men is also charged with contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr O'Donovan is charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, in connection with a criminal organisation. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr O'Donovan is charged with three counts of unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr O'Donovan also faces a charge of arson at Ashroe, Limerick, on May 8, 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr Blackhall is charged with drug offences at Mungret Court, Limerick, on June 10, 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr Blackhall is charged with unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner at Ashbourne Avenue, Limerick, on June 1, 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMr Blackhall is charged with possession of a firearm at Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, on June 1, 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe charge states that O'Donovan, knowing of the criminal organisation, took part in activity that facilitated a serious offence, namely possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeO'Donovan faces three further charges of unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeO'Donovan also faces a charge of arson at Ashroe, Limerick, on 8 May 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply. (gript.ie)
- chargeThe sentence covered drugs and firearms offences. (gript.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)
- courtHe was refused bail on charges connected to a drive-by shooting that took place in May. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtGardaí objected to bail, saying O'Donovan would continue in the feud and commit further offences. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtJudge Patricia Harney refused bail and remanded O'Donovan in custody. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtO'Donovan is to appear before Limerick District Court by video-link for DPP directions on Tuesday 17 June. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtO'Donovan was to appear before Limerick District Court via video-link for DPP directions on 17 June 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge refused bail and remanded Mr O’Donovan in custody. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtO'Donovan was remanded in custody at Limerick District Court (limerickpost.ie)
- courtHe appeared before the court via video link from Limerick Prison (limerickpost.ie)
- courtThe State applied for John O'Donovan and Shane Blackhall to be tried before the three-judge, non-jury court. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe men had been sent forward from a Limerick District Court sitting on March 3. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtJudge Karen O'Connor ordered that both men be tried before the Special Criminal Court, with the matter put back to March 16. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtO'Donovan will appear before the court again on 13 July for a sentencing hearing. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceHe was jailed for six years. (gript.ie)
- otherNo injuries were reported. (limerickpost.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- otherO'Donovan made no reply when cautioned after being charged. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherO'Donovan maintained his right to silence during Garda interviews. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherO'Donovan has 30 previous convictions for misuse of drugs, criminal damage and road traffic offences (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jul2026Getaway 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 - 27 Jul2026Limerick man jailed over drugs and firearm offences - Gript
Reports the six-year prison sentence, the guilty plea to drug possession charges, and the link to a gang feud. No existing case matched.
convicted, Shane Blackhall, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Blackhall - 11 May2026Limerick teenager admits helping gang possess firearm with intent to endanger life
Reports the guilty plea at the Special Criminal Court, the charge particulars for offences between 26 April and 8 May 2025, further pending charges, and the sentencing date of 13 July. Also mentions an unrelated plea by another man, Shane Blackhall, which is not included.
convicted, John O'Donovan, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donovan - 9 Mar2026Two Limerick men to face firearm charges in the Special Criminal Court
Reports the State's application to have both men tried before the Special Criminal Court and the court's order that the matter be put back to March 16. Sets out the charges against each man.
accused, John O'Donovan, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donovanaccused, Shane Blackhall, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Blackhall - 16 Sep2025Change of solicitor for man charged in connection with Limerick City gun attack
O'Donovan's solicitor Sarah Ryan applied to come off record; further investigation details provided including the stolen Audi A4 and Lexus NX 300h, the convoy from Monasterevin to Limerick, the Audi being burned out at Murroe, and CCTV of O'Donovan purchasing gloves and petrol. Judge Carol Anne Coolican remanded him in continuing custody.
suspect, John O'Donovan, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donovan - 18 Jun2025Limerick teenager is 'actively involved' in an ongoing 'violent feud' in the city, gardai allege
Reports a bail hearing in which gardaí objected to bail and the accused was refused bail. Adds the charges (three counts of using or possessing stolen cars and one count of arson), the alleged feud link, and the alleged role in fuelling and tracking the vehicles.
accused, John O'Donovan, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donovan - 16 Jun2025Suspect in ‘violent feud’ denied bail over charges linked to drive-by shooting
Bail hearing at Limerick District Court where Judge Patricia Harney refused bail and remanded O'Donovan in custody for DPP directions on 17 June 2025. Details of the shooting, the stolen vehicles, and the alleged feud between the Collins and O'Donoghue families were set out by Det Garda Darragh Conroy.
accused, 18, male, irish (judged from name) - 16 Jun2025Court hears man charged in connection with drive-by shooting is ‘actively involved’ in Limerick feud
Reports the bail refusal on 16 June 2025 and remand in custody pending DPP directions. Adds Garda details of the stolen cars, the alleged arson, the fuel purchase, phone and CCTV evidence, and the link to the Collins family and O'Donoghue feud. Confirms O'Donovan is 18 and of Valley View, Southill.
accused, John O'Donovan, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Donovan