Courts / Limerick / Report
Getaway drivers jailed for involvement in Limerick shootings, including attack that ended up on social media
Summary
Two getaway drivers involved in separate shootings linked to a violent gang feud in Limerick have each been sentenced to six years in prison by the Special Criminal Court. John O'Donovan (19) and Shane Blackhall (21) were third-tier members of the O'Donoghue organised crime group, which has been in a violent feud with the Collins group since 2022. The feud has led to 36 shootings and various attacks using explosives. Blackhall was the driver of a Volkswagen Scirocco used in a drive-by shooting on Hyde Avenue, where a Glock semi-automatic pistol was fired. Blackhall crashed the car into a lampost and was found to have cocaine, heroin, and cannabis in his home. O'Donovan was involved in a separate incident where a Lexus was used to meet a hit team before an Audi was set on fire. Both men pleaded guilty and were sentenced with suspended terms. The judge noted their early guilty pleas and their efforts in prison to rehabilitate.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Getaway drivers jailed for involvement in Limerick shootings, including attack that ended up on social media. 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. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 6, 2025 Other
- June 10, 2025 Incident
- January 6 Incident
- April 26 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 8, 2025 Incident
- June 15, 2025 Other
- 2026-07-27 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
Defendant
Charges: 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 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He sentenced O'Donovan to seven years with the final year suspended, backdated to June 15, 2025.
Defendant
Charges: 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 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He sentenced Blackhall to eight years in prison with the final two years suspended for three years.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Hyde Avenue
- Ashbourne Avenue
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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