Man jailed for over two years after ramming car into pedestrian in Limeric​h

A 31‑year‑old man was sentenced to two years and three months in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court after driving his Nissan Qashqai into a pedestrian during a feud‑related attack.

Michael Shannon of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, pleaded guilty to affray and to producing an iron bar during the violent episode on Hyde Avenue, Limerick City. The offence took place on 4 April 2025 when Shannon and passengers encountered a group of men at a pedestrian crossing.

CCTV showed one of the men smashing the widescreen of Shannon’s car with an iron bar. Shannon left the scene, returned at speed and struck the man who had damaged his vehicle, also colliding with another car. The injured man fled on foot and Shannon drove away on the wrong side of the road.

Sergeant Eoin Dillon of Roxboro Road Garda Station told the court the incident formed part of a three‑year feud between two rival families in the Hyde Road area, which has seen shootings and explosives thrown at houses. The judge rejected Shannon’s claim that he was not involved in the feud.

Judge Colin Daly reduced the term from three years, citing Shannon’s guilty plea, apology, and lack of prior violent convictions, although the court noted he has more than twenty earlier convictions for drug supply, burglary and traffic offences. Shannon is a father of five and has been employed for the past two years.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: Erik Mclean / Pexels.