Limerick teenager is 'actively involved' in an ongoing 'violent feud' in the city, gardai allege

A LIMERICK teenager has been refused bail in connection with a drive-by shooting in the city last month.

Gardai allege the accused is “actively involved” in an ongoing “violent feud” in Limerick city during a bail application in Limerick District Court on Monday.

The attack occurred on Thursday, May 8 when a masked gunman driving a stolen Audi fired multiple shots from a handgun at houses on the Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city.

Gardai alleged that John O’Donovan, aged 18, of Valley View, Southill, Limerick, was involved in a feud between rival crime families and that he was involved with others in the shooting. 

Mr O’Donovan is charged with three counts of using or possessing cars, which were stolen from Dublin and used in the shooting. He is also charged with one count of arson in respect of the car that gardai allege was used in the shooting.

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Detective Garda Darragh Conroy, of Roxboro Road garda station, told the court that Mr O’Donovan made “no reply” when cautioned after he was charged with the four offences.

Det Garda Conroy, who objected to bail being granted on behalf of the State, said Mr O’Donovan was arrested as part of the investigation into the shooting.

The detective garda alleged that the shooting was linked to “a violent feud” involving two factions.

Detective Garda Conroy alleged that a “semi-automatic firearm” was discharged at a number of “occupied” homes on the Hyde Road, and gardai observed “bullet holes” in the front windows and front doors of the houses. No injuries were reported.

Detective Garda Conroy alleged that a black Audi and a white Lexus were stolen in Dublin on April 25 and driven to Junction 14 service station off the M7 motorway.

Garda Conroy alleged Mr O’Donovan and others attended at the service station where “an exchange” of the stolen vehicles occurred, and that Mr O’Donovan took possession of the Lexus from a “Dublin criminal”.

The court heard that the stolen vehicles were driven “in convoy” from the service station to Limerick.

The Lexus, which gardai allege was driven by Mr O’Donovan, was parked up at a hotel in Limerick. 

Det Garda Conroy alleged the driver of the stolen Audi, who was not identified in court, “used a semi-automatic firearm to fire shots at properties from a moving vehicle”.

The detective further alleged that the occupants of the car “recorded a video” of the gun attack.

The detective garda alleged the Lexus was used on the night of the shooting to take Mr O’Donovan and others to Murroe where gardai located the Audi A4 “burnt out”.

Det Garda Conroy alleged that Mr O’Donovan was captured on CCTV footage at a filling station, buying gloves and placing a container of petrol into the stolen Lexus before driving the vehicle away prior to the shooting.

The detective garda alleged that Mr O’Donovan supplied the fuel used to torch the stolen Audi and that his mobile phone was turned off prior to the shooting and turned back on again minutes after the shooting.

A text message was sent to Mr O’Donovan’s mobile phone explaining that gardai were on route to the scene of the shooting, Det Garda Conroy further alleged.

A search of the online travel agency “Booking.com” was done on Mr O’Donovan’s phone immediately after the text message was received, the detective alleged.

Detective Garda Conroy said: “It is my belief that he (Mr O’Donovan) will continue to be involved in the feud, commit further offences, and there would be a further risk to property and risk of loss of life if he was granted bail.”

Judge Patricia Harney, presiding, said she was satisfied to refuse bail and remanded Mr O’Donovan in custody.