A MAN CHARGED in connection with a drive-by shooting in Limerick is one of the leading instigators of an ongoing feud in the city, gardaí have alleged.

20-year-old Shane Blackhall, with an address at Mungret Court, Watergate, Limerick, appeared before Limerick District Court today in respect of a gun attack at Hyde Avenue on 6 January 2024.

Gardaí alleged during today’s bail hearing that Blackhall was “actively involved” in an ongoing violent feud and they were fearful someone would be killed or seriously injured if he was granted bail.

Detective Garda Seamus Murphy told the court he charged Blackhall yesterday with one count of possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances on 6 January.

Murphy said he also charged Blackhall with one count of unlawfully taking a blue Volkswagen car, which gardaí allege was used in the 6 January drive-by shooting.

Blackhall was also charged with possessing €26,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply and possessing cannabis, which Murphy said was found in Blackhall’s home when gardaí conducted a search on 10 July 2024 as part of investigations into the 6 January shooting.

Murphy told the court that at 6.34pm on 6 January, gardaí responded to reports of a shooting at Hyde Avenue, Limerick, and discovered a stolen Volkswagen car abandoned and extensively damaged after it had crashed into a lamppost near the scene.

Gardaí found two 9mm bullet casings inside the car a well as a further five 9mm bullet casings at various points along Hyde Avenue.

Murphy said that forensic analysis of the bullet casings found inside the car and along Hyde Avenue showed they were “9mm Luger” ammunition, and that they were “all fired from the same weapon”.

He told the court that investigating gardaí believe a “Glock, semi-automatic” firearm was used in the gun attack.

Murphy said gardaí had harvested CCTV footage showing the stolen VW car traveling along Hyde Avenue and “slowing” as it comes to houses, and a “number of shots are discharged” from the car.

Garda Murphy said the footage shows the car “travel at speed” away onto Lenihan Avenue, Byrne Avenue, and onto Rosbrien Road, passing an ESB premises.

The CCTV footage also shows the car crashed at Ashbourne Avenue and two individuals fleeing the vehicle, said Murphy.

The garda witness alleged that a subsequent forensic examination of the VW car had resulted in the discovery of human DNA on the car’s driver-side airbag, which he alleged was a match for Blackhall’s DNA.

Garda Murphy told the court that further more serious charges were anticipated against Mr Blackhall in respect of the shooting investiagtion.

Garda Murphy said he was objecting to bail due to the “seriousness of the charges, and the strength and nature of the evidence”.

Garda Murphy alleged in court: “The accused was actively involved in an ongoing feud on the south side of Limerick City at the time of his arrest and the commission of the offences for which he is currently charged with.”

“Gardai believe these offences were committed as part of this feud and the accused was one of the main instigators of same.”

“I believe that if he (Mr Blackhall) is granted bail, the accused will again become involved in this feud and will pose a serious and active threat to homeowners and members of the public.”

Garda Murphy said serious weaponry had been used in the feud and that gardai were concerned about a safety risk to the general public.

Answering Mr Blackhall’s solicitor, Sarah Ryan, who stated the accused would abide by whatever bail conditions the court decided, Garda Murphy stated: “I do not believe that there are any bail conditions which would be applied that could prevent further similar crimes by the accused. 

“It is my belief that, if granted bail, there will be further serious offences committed by the accused, up to the risk of further property been damaged, including loss of (life) and serious injury.”

Judge Patricia Harney said she believed Det Gda Murphy’s evidence was “well founded” and “should be accepted”, and she refused bail.

The judge remanded Mr Blackhall in custody to appear before Limerick District Court again on June 24th for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.