Courts / Limerick / Report

Limerick 'enforcer' and dealer to be sentenced over drug gang feud shooting

Summary

A sentencing hearing has taken place in the Special Criminal Court for Shane Blackhall (21) and Co-accused O'Donovan (19), both of whom have pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to drug dealing, firearm possession, and involvement in a criminal organisation. Blackhall admitted to possessing cocaine, cannabis, and diamorphine for sale or supply at Mungret Court on June 10, 2025, and possessing a firearm on January 6, 2025, at Hyde Avenue in Limerick, in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable suspicion that he did not have it for a lawful purpose. He also admitted to unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner on June 1, 2025, at Ashbourne Avenue, Limerick. O'Donovan admitted to participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by the O'Donoghue criminal organisation, to wit, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, between April 26 and May 8, 2025. He also faces three further charges of unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner, in Limerick on April 27, 2025, and May 8, 2025, and in Monasterevin on April 26, 2025, as well as a charge of arson at Ashroe, Limerick, on May 8, 2025. The matter was adjourned for sentencing on July 27. Five other men are also due to stand trial in relation to their alleged involvement in these offences.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Limerick 'enforcer' and dealer to be sentenced over drug gang feud shooting. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply at Mungret Court on June 10, 2025; possessing a firearm on January 6 at Hyde Avenue in Limerick in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable suspicion that he did not have it for a lawful purpose; a charge that between April 26 and May 8, 2025, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he participated in or contributed to activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life; participating in the activity of a criminal organisation, to wit, the O'Donoghue criminal organisation, with Anthony Cur

When:

• June 10, 2025 Incident
• January 6 Incident
• June 1, 2025 Incident
• April 26 Other
• May 8, 2025 Incident
• April 27, 2025 Incident
• April 26, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 6, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 25 Incident
• July 27 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 11 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-07-13 Publication

Why: Another woman said she heard a number of bangs, which she knew were gunshots because of previous incidents, so she went straight to the ground to protect herself. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report