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. 10569Firearm offences; criminal organisation; drug offences; unauthorised taking of vehicles; arson · Co. Limerick

Two Limerick men to be tried in Special Criminal Court on firearm charges

Two Limerick men, John O'Donovan (19) and Shane Blackhall (21), are charged with firearm offences, drug offences and unlawful taking of vehicles in Limerick in May and June 2025. Mr O'Donovan is also charged with contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation and with arson at Ashroe, Limerick, on May 8, 2025. The men were sent forward from Limerick District Court on March 3, 2026, and on March 9, 2026 the State applied for them to be tried before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court. Judge Karen O'Connor ordered that both men be tried before that court and put the matter back to March 16, 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two Limerick men, John O'Donovan (19) and Shane Blackhall (21), are to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on firearm charges.
Charges
  • Mr O'Donovan is charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, in connection with a criminal organisation.
  • Mr O'Donovan is charged with contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation, between April 26 and May 8, 2025.
  • Mr O'Donovan is charged with three counts of unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner.
  • Mr O'Donovan is charged with arson at Ashroe, Limerick, on May 8, 2025.
  • Mr Blackhall is charged with drug offences at Mungret Court, Limerick, on June 10, 2025.
  • Mr Blackhall is charged with unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner at Ashbourne Avenue, Limerick, on June 1, 2025.
  • Mr Blackhall is charged with possession of a firearm at Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, on June 1, 2025.
Where
The alleged offences took place in Limerick, including at Ashroe, Ashbourne Avenue, Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston and Mungret Court.
In court
  • The men were sent forward from a Limerick District Court sitting on March 3, 2026.
  • On March 9, 2026, the State applied for both men to be tried before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court.
  • Judge Karen O'Connor ordered that both men be tried before the Special Criminal Court and put the matter back to March 16, 2026.
Other details
The sources do not name a victim, and no sentence has been reported.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo Limerick men will stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on firearm charges. (limerickleader.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)
  • 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)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Mar2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Two 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