Clase Road firearms inquiry: James and Pio Gilheany charged, Wales 2026

Key Points

• A further two men have been charged in connection with the shooting incident on Clase Road, Morriston, taking the total number of charges to four.
• James Gilheany, 49, of Llansamlet, faces two charges, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault by beating.
• His brother, Pio Gilheany, 21, of Morriston, is charged with affray and possessing an offensive weapon.
• They both appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court and have been remanded in police custody ahead of their appearances at the same court on Saturday, 14 November.
• Thomas Gilheaney, 29, was previously charged with affray and possessing an offensive weapon, and has been remanded in custody by Swansea magistrates. He is expected to appear before Swansea Crown Court next month.
• David Joyce, 24, of Bonymaen, was previously charged with affray and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so.
• Another four men arrested in relation to the incident have since been released on bail pending ongoing inquiries.
• The incident took place at about 4.15pm on Friday, 6 November, on the A48 Clase Road, near Asda.
• According to South Wales Police, the vehicle sustained damage “consistent with a firearms discharge.”
• Critical incident procedure was put into effect and the road was closed for much of the night along with the Upper Fforest Way.
• Police say that no injuries were reported and that there was no risk to the general public.
• Detectives have appealed for dash cam footage from motorists who were driving on Clase Road, Samlet Road, Upper Fforest Way or Valley Way between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on Friday, 6 November.
• The dash cam footage may be uploaded via the South Wales Police Major Incident Public Portal. You may also give information to Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.

Wales Fire (Wales Times) November 14, 2026 – Two more men have been charged by South uk/police/">Wales Police in connection with the firearms incident on Clase Road in Morriston, bringing the number of people charged in the investigation to four.

As reported by Kit Peters of Swansea Bay News, James Gilheany, 49, from Llansamlet, and Pio Gilheany, 21, from Morriston, have both been charged over the incident, which took place on the A48 Clase Road beside Asda on Friday, 6 November.

South Wales Police said James Gilheany is charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and with assault by beating. Pio Gilheany is charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

According to Swansea Bay News, both men were remanded in police custody and were due to appear before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 14 November.

What are the latest charges in the Clase Road case?

The latest charges mean four males have now been charged in connection with the Clase Road firearms incident. South Wales Police confirmed the development on Saturday, 14 November.

James Gilheany, 49, faces two allegations: possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault by beating. Police said he is from Llansamlet.

Pio Gilheany, 21, from Morriston, faces allegations of affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

The charges are allegations at this stage. Neither man has been convicted, and the case will now proceed through the criminal courts. The reporting of charges does not establish guilt.

When did the Clase Road incident happen?

The incident occurred at about 4.15pm on Friday, 6 November, on the A48 Clase Road in Morriston, alongside the Asda store.

South Wales Police said a car at the scene was left with damage that the force described as “consistent with a firearms discharge”.

Officers declared a critical incident following the report. Clase Road and Upper Fforest Way were closed for much of the night while police responded to the incident.

The force said it was not aware of any injuries connected with the incident. It also said there was no wider threat to the public.

Who has already been charged?

Two men had previously been charged in connection with the same investigation before the latest charges were announced.

As reported by Swansea Bay News, Thomas Gilheaney, 29, was charged on Monday with affray and possessing an offensive weapon. He was remanded in custody by Swansea magistrates, and police said he is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court next month.

David Joyce, 24, of Bonymaen, was charged on Friday with affray and with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so. He was due before Swansea magistrates on the day he was charged.

The police investigation remains active. South Wales Police said four other males arrested in connection with the incident have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Why did police close Clase Road?

Police closed Clase Road and Upper Fforest Way after the reported firearms incident on 6 November. The closures formed part of the force’s response to what it described as a critical incident.

The affected route is the A48 Clase Road, which runs beside the Asda store in Morriston. Officers remained at the scene while enquiries were carried out and the damaged vehicle was examined.

South Wales Police did not identify a suspect or suspects at the scene in the information published by Swansea Bay News. The force instead appealed for information and footage from members of the public.

What evidence are police seeking?

Detectives have asked drivers to provide dashcam footage if they used Clase Road, Samlet Road, Upper Fforest Way or Valley Way between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on Friday, 6 November.

The appeal covers a 15-minute period shortly after the time police gave for the incident. Footage from vehicles travelling through those roads may assist officers in establishing movements, identifying witnesses or providing further information about what happened.

South Wales Police said footage can be submitted through its Major Incident Public Portal.

Anyone with information who does not wish to provide their details can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

What happens next in court?

James Gilheany and Pio Gilheany were due before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 14 November, after being remanded in police custody.

Thomas Gilheaney has already appeared before Swansea magistrates and was remanded in custody. Police said his next hearing is due at Swansea Crown Court next month.

David Joyce was due before Swansea magistrates on the day he was charged. The available reporting does not state the outcome of that hearing or give a date for any further court appearance.

Court proceedings will determine whether the allegations are proved. Until that process is complete, all four men are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

What has South Wales Police said?

South Wales Police confirmed the two new charges and provided details of the allegations faced by James Gilheany and Pio Gilheany. The force also confirmed that both men had been remanded in police custody ahead of their court appearance.

The police said the damage to the car was consistent with a firearms discharge. The force also said it knew of no injuries linked to the incident and no wider threat to the public.

The force’s public appeal remains focused on dashcam footage and information from people who may have been in the area at the relevant time.

Background of the development

The Clase Road investigation began after an incident at about 4.15pm on Friday, 6 November, on the A48 Clase Road in Morriston, beside Asda. South Wales Police said a car was left with damage consistent with a firearms discharge.

Officers declared a critical incident and closed Clase Road and Upper Fforest Way for much of the night. Police later said no injuries had been reported in connection with the incident and that there was no wider threat to the public.

The first reported charge came when a man was charged with affray, while two other people were released on bail. Further arrests followed, and Thomas Gilheaney was subsequently charged with affray and possessing an offensive weapon.

David Joyce was then charged with affray and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life or to enable another person to do so. The latest announcement concerning James Gilheany and Pio Gilheany brings the number charged to four, while four other males remain on bail pending further enquiries.

Prediction: what it means for Morriston residents

For Morriston residents, the development is likely to keep attention on road safety, policing and the impact of the investigation on the local area. The incident led to the closure of major routes, including Clase Road and Upper Fforest Way, disrupting travel for several hours on the evening of 6 November.

Residents and drivers may see continued police activity as detectives review dashcam footage and follow up enquiries. The force’s request for material from Clase Road, Samlet Road, Upper Fforest Way and Valley Way suggests officers are seeking to establish a detailed account of movements around the time of the incident.

For local businesses and people using the A48 Clase Road, further court hearings and police updates may bring renewed attention to the area. The immediate police assessment that there was no wider threat to the public remains the force’s stated position, but the ongoing investigation means residents should expect further official updates if new information emerges.

For the four men charged, the immediate effect is that their cases will move through the courts. For the four males released on bail, the investigation remains ongoing, and any further police action will depend on the evidence gathered during enquiries.