Two more men have been charged in connection with a firearms incident in Morriston, Swansea, where a car was damaged by gunshots on 6 November, bringing the total number of people charged to four.
James Gilheany, 49, from Llansamlet, has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault by beating. Pio Gilheany, 21, from Morriston, has been charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon. Both men were remanded in custody until their appearance at Swansea Crown Court on 11 December.
Armed officers from South Wales Police were called to Clase Road, Morriston, at about 4.15pm on Friday 6 November, where police said a car had sustained damage consistent with a firearms discharge. One person suffered minor injuries. The force declared a critical incident and closed several roads, which reopened overnight.
David Joyce, 24, from Bonymaen, was previously charged with affray and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or enable another person to do so, and appeared in court on Friday. He was remanded in custody until he appears at Swansea Crown Court on 14 December.
Thomas Patrick Gilheaney, 29, of Pant-y-Blawd caravan site in Llansamlet, appeared at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Monday 9 November. He denied possessing an offensive weapon, allegedly a machete, and affray. He is expected to appear at Swansea Crown Court on 11 December.
A 41-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Llansamlet, who were arrested in connection with the incident, have been released on bail. Four other people arrested in connection with the incident have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
Police have appealed for dashcam footage from drivers who used Clase Road, Samlet Road, Upper Forest Way or Valley Way between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on 6 November. Detectives are also seeking footage from Valley Way between noon and 1.30pm that day.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident involved a firearm discharge in a residential area, raising public safety concerns.
- Four people have now been charged, indicating a significant police operation.
- Court appearances are scheduled for December, suggesting the case will continue into the new year.
Background
The incident occurred on 6 November near Castle Bingo on the A48 Clase Road in Morriston, Swansea. South Wales Police described the damage to the vehicle as consistent with a firearm being discharged. The force declared a critical incident and closed several roads, which reopened overnight. The Major Crime Investigation Team is leading the investigation.
Key Perspectives
South Wales Police: have appealed for dashcam footage and said four individuals have been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Thomas Patrick Gilheaney: has denied charges of affray and possession of an offensive weapon.
What to Watch
- The next court appearances at Swansea Crown Court on 11 and 14 December.
- Whether further arrests or charges are made as the investigation continues.
- The outcome of the police appeal for dashcam footage.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTwo more men were charged, bringing the total charged in connection with the investigation to four.Nation.Cymru: “Two more men have been charged after a car was damaged in a firearms incident in Morriston, Swansea, bringing the number of people charged in connection with the investigation to four.”
- SupportedJames Gilheany and Pio Gilheany appeared in court on Saturday.BBC Wales: “The two appeared at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody until they appear at Swansea Crown Court on 11 December.”
- SupportedJames Gilheany, 49, from Llansamlet, was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault by beating.Nation.Cymru: “James Gilheany, 49, from Llansamlet, has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault by beating.”
- SupportedPio Gilheany, 21, from Morriston, was charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon.Nation.Cymru: “Pio Gilheany, 21, from Morriston, has been charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon.”
- SupportedBoth men were remanded in custody until their Swansea Crown Court appearance on 11 December.BBC Wales: “The two appeared at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody until they appear at Swansea Crown Court on 11 December.”
- SupportedA car on Clase Road, Morriston, was damaged by gunshots on Friday 6 November.BBC Wales: “Two more charged after car damaged by gunshots. [...] Armed officers from South Wales Police said a car on Clase Road, Morriston, sustained damage "consistent with a firearms discharge" on Friday at 16:14 GMT.”
- SupportedOne person suffered minor injuries.BBC Wales: “One person suffered minor injuries.”
- SupportedDavid Joyce was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or enable another person to do so.Nation.Cymru: “David Joyce, 24, from Bonymaen, was previously charged with affray and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or enable another person to do so.”
- SupportedThomas Patrick Gilheaney denied possessing an offensive weapon, allegedly a machete, and affray.BBC Wales: “On Monday, Thomas Patrick Gilheaney , 29, of Pant-y-Blawd caravan site in Llansamlet denied possessing an offensive weapon - allegedly a machete - and affray.”
- SupportedA 41-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy from Llansamlet were released on bail after being arrested in connection with the incident.BBC Wales: “A 41-year-old man and 16-year-old boy , both from Llansamlet, who were both arrested in connection with the incident, have since been released on bail.”
- SupportedFour other people arrested in connection with the incident were released on police bail while enquiries continue.Nation.Cymru: “Four other people arrested in connection with the incident have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.”
- SupportedPolice appealed for dashcam footage from specified roads between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on 6 November, and from Valley Way between noon and 1.30pm that day.Nation.Cymru: “The force’s Major Crime Investigation Team has appealed for dashcam footage from drivers who used Clase Road, Samlet Road, Upper Forest Way or Valley Way between 4.15pm and 4.30pm that day. Detectives are also seeking footage from Valley Way between noon and 1.30pm.”