Rathkeale

Armed Gardai were patrolling the town of Rathkeale in Co Limerick, Monday night after violent incidents erupted between rival groups, leaving the town “like ...

Gardaí received report of a number of vehicles engaged in dangerous driving on the R523 Road in Rathkeale town and attended the scene,” said a Garda spokeswoman. “Gardaí are investigating a public order and dangerous driving incident in Rathkeale, Co. “Investigations are ongoing. “I think it is a disgrace that the town of Rathkeale is getting negatively labelled again. Those involved are not to be messed with,” warned another. Some locals have called for “the army” to be deployed to the town “because people are living in fear and it’s an absolute disgrace”. Cllr Sheehan said Gardai “have to absolutely crack-down and put a stop to this, and let it be known by the people who contemplate doing these things that this is not acceptable and will not be accepted”. “This means you get in and clear them off the streets with batons or whatever, and you use whatever resources are available to you, and you have to do it with numbers, you can’t do this with half a dozen Gardai.” He claimed those involved in the current feuding in the town are “outsiders that were previously in Rathkeale and they are back here now”. “The ones that come home for Christmas and triple the population – they are not the people causing this grief - they are people that come home to have celebrations, there might be incidents but they are manageable incidents,” said Cllr Sheehan. I know a lot of people in the settled community and the traveller community and the overwhelming majority of them are A1, they are good citizens.” Speaking tonight, Cllr Kevin Sheahan said: “This is shameful that this could happen in a town in my municipal district, and that this could happen at a time of the year when traditionally extra steps are taken by the Gardai in anticipation that this type of thing is likely to happen.”

The town of Rathkeale in Co Limerick resembled a 'warzone' in broad daylight. At least six jeeps severely damaged in the middle of a residential area in the town. A machete was also left at the scene. Video ...

"Maybe the Gardaí need to revive their dedicated policing plan in view of what's happened today. "Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Rathkeale Garda Station on 069 63 222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."

MULTIPLE VEHICLES WERE rammed on a street in a Co Limerick town this afternoon. It is believed some men confronted each other amid the attack, ...

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away. More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal. Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

Gardaí are investigating a public order and dangerous driving incident in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, this afternoon.

Gardaí directed a number of people present to disperse and closed the road for examination. Gardaí received reports of a number of vehicles engaged in dangerous driving on the R523 Road in Rathkeale town and attended the scene. Gardaí are investigating a public order and dangerous driving incident in Rathkeale, Co.

Gardaí are investigating a serious violent incident where SUVs were rammed and weapons brandished. The town of Rathkeale in Co Limerick resembled a ...

"Maybe the Gardaí need to revive their dedicated policing plan in view of what's happened today. "Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Rathkeale Garda Station on 069 63 222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."

At least three separate groups are involved in a local feud that sources said they fear will result in persons being seriously injured or worse.

“Investigations are ongoing. Those involved are not to be messed with,” warned another. I understand this is an ongoing garda matter,” said Cllr Tesky. "Gardaí received a report of a number of vehicles engaged in dangerous driving on the R523 Road in Rathkeale town and attended the scene. He claimed those involved in the current feuding in the town are “outsiders that were previously in Rathkeale and they are back here now. A number of vehicles were written off in ramming incidents, and machetes were allegedly produced, as gardaí sealed off a large section of the town.

Armed Gardai were patrolling Rathkeale last night following a series of violent incidents which are believed to be connected to a family feud.

Gardaí received several reports of a number of vehicles engaged in dangerous driving on the R523 Road in the town. Images of the damaged vehicles have been widely circulated on social media. Parts of the town were also sealed off after a number of vehicles were badly damaged and machetes were produced during standoffs between rival groups.

Gardaí are investigating a public order and dangerous driving incident yesterday in Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

The annual policing plan has to be reviewed and approved locally by An Garda Síochána." Please review their details and accept them to load the content. A number of vehicles abandoned in the road were seized. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, he said that people in the area were "rightly angered" because Rathkeale is a "fine town with some very fine people in the community groups working very hard to enhance and promote the town". "Obviously, the distribution of resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but the Government will support the Commissioner and An Garda Síochána in any way that is required," he added. "I've had a very good meeting with the gardaí here and I made it very clear on behalf of the Government that any resources that are required to support the Gardaí in their work here will be forthcoming," Mr Harris said.

Vehicles damaged in ramming incidents, while some of those involved brandished machetes, locals say.

“Gardaí directed a number of people present to disperse and closed the road for examination.” “We can’t have a situation where the area is becoming swamped with people who are acting in a manner of thuggery – that simply isn’t acceptable. We’re told that it is possibly two feuding families but there has unfortunately been a few incidents in Rathkeale recently, a few weeks ago a Garda car was rammed, with a garda badly injured as a result,” he said. “I agree, I think the gardaí should use whatever is available to them. A number of vehicles were badly damaged in ramming incidents and machetes were allegedly produced during the violence, locals said. Armed gardaí were called to the town on Monday night after violence erupted between rival groups, with part of the town sealed off.

A section of the town was sealed off after violent scenes erupted between rival groups.

More has to be done to ensure that it does not reoccur — the gardaí are dealing with the situation, they have an annual policing plan, if more is needed, I won't be found wanting in getting resources to help complete their work. "I agree, I think the gardaí should use whatever is available to them. Armed gardaí patrolled Rathkeale on Monday night and a section of the town was sealed off after violent scenes erupted between rival groups.

The “truly shocking” scenes in Rathkeale yesterday can't be tolerated in a civilised, democratic society - junior minister Niall Collins.

“If it is the case that we need to revisit resourcing within it then I’ll play my part. Gardai said they are investigating a “public order and dangerous driving” incident in the town. “Many members of the Travelling community live there in peace and harmony also, and obviously weren’t involved in this so this is really, really upsetting and disappointing,” he said. Minister Collins said the incident sullies the good work of the many community groups who live in “peace and harmony” in Rathkeale 12 months a year. “A lot of members of the Travelling community who live abroad come home and spend the bones of two months really in Rathkeale so it puts a lot of pressure on the town.” “It appears from what we are hearing that it is the result of two feuding families,” he said.

Minister for Justice Simon Harris has promised there will be 'enhanced policing' of Limerick town Rathkeale over Christmas following 'unacceptable' violent ...

“We can't have a situation where the area is becoming swamped with people who are acting in a manner of thuggery - that simply isn't acceptable. It's a very unique situation where the population triples, quadruples at this time of year.” - Additional reporting from Vivienne Clarke and David Raleigh “I agree, I think the gardaí should use whatever is available to them. Residents in the town are quite rightly angered, added Mr Collins. "In response to these scenes yesterday, the Garda Armed Support Unit was deployed rapidly. "This Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – in rural Ireland and in our towns and cities.

JUSTICE Minister Simon Harris has condemned the violent scenes in Rathkeale yesterday and insisted enhanced policing presence will be in place over ...

"Maybe the Gardaí need to revive their dedicated policing plan in view of what's happened today. "Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward. “In response to these scenes yesterday, the Garda Armed Support Unit was deployed rapidly. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Rathkeale Garda Station on 069 63 222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." “This Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – in rural Ireland and in our towns and cities. "Gardaí received report of a number of vehicles engaged in dangerous driving on the R523 Road in Rathkeale town and attended the scene.

The Justice Minister has described violent scenes in a Limerick town yesterday evening as 'unacceptable'. Simon Harris says an 'enhanced...

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) "There is no place for this thuggery, and it has to brought to a stop for once and for all." [December 20, 2022]

“The scenes in Rathkeale yesterday were absolutely unacceptable. This Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – in rural Ireland and in ...

In response to these scenes yesterday, the Garda Armed Support Unit was deployed rapidly. This Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – in rural Ireland and in our towns and cities. Published on

A section of the town was sealed off after violent scenes erupted between rival groups.

"I agree, I think the gardaí should use whatever is available to them. More has to be done to ensure that it does not reoccur — the gardaí are dealing with the situation, they have an annual policing plan, if more is needed, I won't be found wanting in getting resources to help complete their work. Armed gardaí patrolled Rathkeale on Monday night and a section of the town was sealed off after violent scenes erupted between rival groups.

Increased armed patrols have been deployed to the west Limerick town to help local gardaí quell rising tensions between feuding Traveller families there.

These policing plans are monitored and assessed on an ongoing basis and reviewed in line with evolving incidents and risks.” Chair of the local joint police committee, Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey, today called a special meeting of committee members, local TDs, and senior gardaí to go ahead on Friday. "I know the community in Rathkeale is rightly proud of their town and abhor these appalling acts." “We need to have a more proactive approach to policing this, we need to have armed responses from gardaí, we need to have more information-gathering in relation to what is happening, and we need to build up an element of trust between members of the force and the general community. He added: “For any ordinary member of An Garda Síochána that would have been on the beat on the street yesterday, if they came on that on a regular patrol, they would have been unable to deal with the level of what happened.” Speaking earlier today, Minister Harris said what happened was "absolutely unacceptable".