Tullamore man faces Circuit Court over two shotgun attacks on family home
Daniel Kavanagh (48) is charged with firing a shotgun through a house window on two separate occasions in Tullamore. His case is being sent forward to the Circuit Court.
Tullamore double shooting case transferred to Circuit Court
A Tullamore man accused of firing shotgun pellets through the window of a house on two separate occasions is to be sent forward to the local Circuit Court, Google News IE — Crime (en) reports.
Daniel Kavanagh (48), with addresses at 9 Cloncollig, Tullamore and 6 Kishogue Park, Dublin, appeared before Judge Michael Connellan at Tullamore District Court on Thursday, 27 August. Sergeant Richard Thornton applied for a remand to 9 September for service of a book of evidence, which will formally transfer the prosecution from the District Court to the Circuit Court.
Judge Connellan noted that Kavanagh had two listed addresses. Sergeant Thornton confirmed that 6 Kishogue Park, Dublin, was where the accused was now required to reside.
Kavanagh told the court he had no legal representation due to the ongoing solicitors' strike. Judge Connellan observed that the prosecution's time for serving the book of evidence had elapsed and informed Kavanagh he could consent to an extension of time. Kavanagh gave that consent, and the judge remanded him on continuing bail to appear again on 9 September.
Charges relate to incidents in February and June
Kavanagh is alleged to have discharged a firearm, being reckless as to whether any person was injured, at 37 Kearney Drive, Tullamore on two separate occasions — 28 February and 4 June. On both dates he also faces charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.
Earlier this month, Tullamore District Court heard that a woman was injured when a shot was fired through the front window of the house.
CCTV footage shown during bail hearing
Detective Garda Tom Dunne gave evidence before Judge Susan Fay during a bail application in which Kavanagh appeared in custody. Gardaí opposed bail, and Detective Garda Dunne played CCTV footage he said was recorded on the dates of the alleged offences.
In footage from February, a man was visible walking along a footpath in the early hours of the morning while holding what gardaí identified as a shotgun. The man raised the weapon, pointed it, and discharged a single shot in the direction of the house.
A second clip, from June and again recorded in the early hours at the same location, showed a man walking with a firearm before firing two shots in quick succession.
Detective Garda Dunne said that during one of the incidents, a shot passed through a sitting room window and a woman inside — whom he named as Rebecca McDonagh — was struck by flying glass. He described Kearney Drive as a newly built estate in Tullamore with families and young children present.
"If she was standing up instead of lying down she'd have been hit with pellets from the shotgun," he said. "They were all in the wall behind her."
The detective garda said the individual in the footage had been identified as Kavanagh and that the firearm had been seized and sent for examination. He added that when questioned, Kavanagh made admissions.
Detective Garda Dunne said the background to the alleged offences was a feud between the Kavanagh and McDonagh families, and that a prior incident had occurred on New Year's Eve 2025 and 1 January 2026.
Gardaí opposed bail on the grounds that they feared Kavanagh would fail to appear in court and that witnesses might be interfered with.
Bail granted with strict conditions
Kavanagh told the court he had been drinking and using cocaine at the time of the alleged offences. He also said a 17-year-old son was ill with broken bones in his back, placing additional pressure on the family.
His wife told Judge Fay the family were being intimidated and gave assurances that her husband would not abscond, that he would sign in at a garda station and observe a curfew. Kavanagh noted he had been in custody for seven weeks and had engaged with AA and NA programmes. He said he could stay with a cousin in Dublin where space was available.
When Judge Fay asked about finances for bail, Kavanagh's wife enquired about the amount before indicating €5,000 would be available.
After deliberating, Judge Fay granted bail. She remanded Kavanagh in custody with consent to bail, on condition that €5,000 cash be lodged along with an independent surety of €10,000.
Further bail conditions require Kavanagh to remain sober, reside at the agreed Dublin address, observe a curfew between 9pm and 7am, report daily to a garda station, have no contact with the alleged injured parties, stay out of County Offaly except for court appearances, and engage with a GP and the Traveller Mediation Service.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)