EXTRA Garda patrols have been stepped up in the Kilmallock area after shots were fired into a house in what Gardaí suspect was linked to a feud between families.
Gardaí said they were investigating “the reported discharge of a firearm” at a home in Kilmallock last Friday (September 13).
“No persons were in the building at the reported time of the incident, and no injuries have been reported at this time,” Gardaí stated.
While the scene at the house was preserved and a technical examination was carried out, Gardaí said their investigations “are ongoing” and “no further information” was available at time of going to press.
Gardaí were investigating if the Kilmallock shooting was linked to a suspected arson attack at a house in Charleville in north County Cork around 8.50pm, also on Friday last.
Gardaí explained that an “incident of criminal damage by fire occurred at a domestic residence in the Fortlands area of Charleville”.
They added again that “no persons were in the building at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported at the time”.
A third scene following “an incident of criminal damage to a car that occurred in the Rathgoggin area of Charleville later that evening, at approximately 9.55pm” is also the subject of a Garda probe.
Gardaí said they are seeking information from “road users and pedestrians who were in the Charleville area between 5.00pm and 11.00pm on Friday, 13th September 2024, and who observed any unusual activity”.
Gardaí also appealed for information or footage (including dashcam recordings) about an Audi A6, a white Skoda Rapid, a BMW, and a silver Ford Focus car, that travelled through the Charleville area at the time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31 450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
In late August, the Charleville parish priest called for calm after shots were fired between vehicles traveling near O’Rourke’s Cross on the N20 Charleville-Limerick Road.
After the drive-by shooting, in which Gardaí suspect a shotgun was used, Canon Donal O’Mahony urged those involved in the Kilmallock-Charleville feud to “turn back to the Lord, first of all, and try and find a way forward from that, that will be peaceful and respectful of others”.
Fr O’Mahony said he was concerned at the rising tensions between rival groups, adding that “violence begets violence, and that’s always a worry. That can escalate if people are not careful.”
Video footage of masked men firing shots into houses and vehicles, smashing windows and petrol bombing homes have been widely shared on social media.
