Limerick teen admits helping gang possess firearm with intent to endanger life

Eoin Reynolds

A Limerick teenager has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to helping a criminal gang possess a firearm with intent to endanger life last year.

John O'Donovan (19), of Valley View, O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, will appear before the court again on July 13 for a sentencing hearing.

The charge to which he entered the plea states that between April 26 and May 8, 2025 O'Donovan, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, 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.

In a related matter, Shane Blackhall (21) of Mungret Court, Watergate Flats, Limerick, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine for sale or supply at Mungret Court on June 10, 2025.

Blackhall further pleaded guilty to 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.

Blackhall will also appear before the court on July 13.

O'Donovan 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. He also faces a charge of arson at Ashroe, Limerick, on May 8, 2025.

Blackhall 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.