LAST UPDATE | 22 Dec 2022

THREE MEN IN their 20s have been arrested following an incident of assault and violent disorder that happened after a large crowd gathered in a Limerick town last night. 

The scenes unfolded last night in Patrickswell, Co Limerick at around 8.30pm. 

A number of  cars were also damaged during the incident, and three vehicles were seized for technical examination. 

Sources told The Journal that multiple vehicles were rammed during the incident, and that weapons including a baseball bat and a hammer were used to do damage to the cars. 

The assault took place after two groups of men got into a disagreement in a local pub, and sources said that when the second group left they were ambushed by the first outside of another bar in the town.

Gardaí were called to the scene but no ambulance was called. 

Minister of State Niall Collins, who is local to the town, strongly condemned the violence that happened there last night. 

“In a normal civilised society we can’t countenance this, and it is becoming a trend of late. People have to be able to live their lives in their home towns without this kind of disorder happening. 

“I would urge anyone with information to come forward to Gardaí,” he said. 

 The three men who were arrested by Gardaí are being detained at Roxboro Garda Station. 

Patrickswell is a 15 minute drive from Limerick city. 

Rathkeale, where a number of vehicles were written off on Monday in a ramming incident, is just a 20 minute drive away. The two incidents do not appear to be connected. 

Justice Minister Simon Harris visited the town on Tuesday in a show of solidarity with locals who called for more Gardaí.

The ramming incident came after a number of others in Rathkeale in recent weeks as a feud between rival groups escalated. 

Harris said that any additional resources required by Gardaí in Rathkeale “would be forthcoming” to tackle feuding factions.

He also pledged that those involved in such violence would be pursued by the State: “No part of this country is beyond the reach of the law”.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident in Patrickswell to come forward. 

Any road users who were in the area of Main Street, Patrickswell on Wednesday evening between 8p.m. and 8.30p.m. and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make it available. 

Any one with information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda station 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing.