GARDAÍ investigating a suspected firebombing of a car in Limerick this Sunday morning (April 13) discovered a suspect explosive device near the vehicle and were informed by residents of a nearby house that gunshots were fired at the property.
Gardaí are currently investigating whether the incidents, which occurred at Ballinacurra Weston at around 2am this Sunday morning, are linked to an ongoing violent feud on the south side of the Treaty City.
Gardaí alerted the Defence Forces to the suspect device, and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit attended the scene before making the device safe and taking it away for further examination.
When asked for comment, a Garda spokeswoman replied: “Gardaí in Roxboro Road were alerted to a car on fire outside a residence in Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick City, in the early hours of Sunday 13th April. At approximately 2am, Gardaí requested the fire brigade, who attended the scene and extinguished the car on fire.”
“The residents of the house reported to Gardaí that shots were discharged at the house and had caused criminal damage. No persons were injured.
“While at the scene, Gardaí noticed a suspect device on the ground. A cordon was established and the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended the scene.
“The EOD team examined the suspect device and subsequently made it safe. The device was taken away by EOD for further examination and the cordon was lifted.”
The spokeswoman concluded that Garda investigations into the incidents were “ongoing”.
A number of pipe bomb and arson attacks on cars and homes, as well as shootings and stabbings, have occurred in the Ballinacurra Weston and Southill areas as part of a feud between rival groups in recent months. However the violence has also spread to the Corbally area in recent weeks.
A number of people have been injured as part of the violence, and others are before the courts charged with violent offences arising out of the feud.
Gardaí have appealed to those involved in the feuding to step back from the violence and warned that anyone involved in committing violent acts will be arrested and charged before the courts.
Gardaí also said that children have been caught up in the violence and expressed concern that they will be injured or worse if the feud continues.
