Courts / Limerick / Report

Killer who took part in murder that sparked 10-year Limerick gang feud 'accidentally' shot friend, court hears

Date
2023-03-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Paul Coffey, a 46‑year‑old Limerick resident with 100 prior convictions, was charged with discharging a firearm in 2021 after a shotgun fired accidentally while he was removing it from a car. The incident injured his friend Alan Murphy, who sustained superficial abdominal wounds and was treated at Limerick University Hospital. Coffey had originally faced an attempted murder charge for an incident on 11 June 2020, but the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped that charge and accepted a plea of guilty to discharging a firearm and possession of a firearm. The offence carries a maximum of 14 years, with a headline sentence of seven to ten years. Coffey's sentencing is scheduled for 18 April. He has a history of drug misuse and was the getaway driver in the 2000 gang‑related murder of Eddie Ryan, for which he received 15 years, seven of which were suspended.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Killer who took part in murder that sparked 10-year Limerick gang feud 'accidentally' shot friend, court hears. Charges or matters: possession of a firearm in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful purpose on the same occasion; manslaughter for the killing of Eddie Ryan Snr who was shot dead while having a drink with his son in the Moose Bar in Limerick in 2000. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 11, 2020 Incident
April 18 Incident
2023-03-28 Publication

Case subjects

Paul Coffey

Convicted Person

Charges: possession of a firearm in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful purpose on the same occasion; manslaughter for the killing of Eddie Ryan Snr who was shot dead while having a drink with his son in the Moose Bar in Limerick in 2000 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Burns will sentence Coffey on April 18. He was sentenced to 15 years with the final seven years suspended for that offence.