Search
09 Mar 2026
Search
09 Mar 2026
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Special Criminal Court
TWO Limerick men will stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on firearm charges, with one man also charged with contributing to the activity of a criminal organisation.
An application was made by the State today, Monday, for John O’Donovan (19) and Shane Blackhall (21) to be tried before the three-judge, non-jury court, having been sent forward from a Limerick District Court sitting on March 3 last.
Mr O’Donovan, of Valley View, O’Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, is charged that between April 26 and May 8 2025, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he did participate in or contribute 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.
He is further charged with three counts of unlawfully using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner, in Limerick on April 27 and May 8, 2025, and in Monasterevin on April 26 that year. He also faces a charge of arson at Ashroe, Limerick, on May 8, 2025.
Mr Blackhall, of Mungret Court, Watergate Flats, Limerick, is charged with drug offences at the same address on June 10, 2025, including having cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply, with a market value of €13,000 or more.
READ ALSO: Limerick running enthusiasts and beginners urged to Run Against Cancer
He is further charged that on June 1, 2025, at Ashbourne Avenue, Limerick, he did unlawfully use a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner. On the same date, he is charged that at Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, he did have possession of a firearm in such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable inference that he had not got it in his possession for a lawful purpose.
Ms Justice Karen O’Connor made an order that both men are to be tried before the Special Criminal Court, with the matter put back to March 16.
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
