GARDAÍ this Tuesday (April 15) seized over €235,000 worth of suspected crime assets in a massive planned search operation targeting an escalating violent feud in Limerick.
The swoop involved more than 100 Gardaí and resulted in the seizure of cash, drugs, vehicles, and jewellery.
The feud, involving rival groups on the south side of the city, has escalated in recent weeks and months, fuelling tit-for-tat fire bombings, pipe bomb attacks, shootings, and criminal damage at graves.
A number of people have also received Garda Information Messages (GIMs) informing them of credible threats to their lives in the past few weeks.
From 7am this Tuesday morning, Gardaí swooped on more than 17 locations across Limerick and the Clare border, targeting the activities of an organised crime group (OCG).
Gardaí attached to Roxboro Road, Henry Street, and Mayorstone Park stations were supported by the Armed Support Unit (ASU), the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), and national and regional dog units in a co-ordinated operation.
The Garda seizure included tens of thousands of euro in cash, up to €10,000 worth of cannabis, several cars, designer watches, jewellery, dirt bikes and quad bikes, electronic devices, and other items of evidential value.
Sources described the operation as a massive success, deeming it a message from the State that Gardaí will pursue criminals involved in serious violence and criminality until they are brought to justice.
“Gardaí in Limerick conducted 17 searches at various locations earlier today (Tuesday), 15th of April, 2025, which have led to the seizure of cash and other goods with a combined estimated value of over €235,000,” a Garda spokesman said.
“This search operation forms part of an ongoing Garda investigation aimed at disrupting a criminal group that is involved in an ongoing feud in the southside of Limerick City which has resulted in pipe bomb and arson attacks, the discharge of firearms, drug dealing and other serious incidents.
“Co-ordinated by Roxboro Road Garda Station, this operation involved more than 100 members of An Garda Síochána at divisional, regional, and national level including the Garda Armed Support Unit, the Garda Dog Unit, and the Emergency Response Unit.”
The Garda spokesman explained that “during the course of the searches, Gardaí seized five vehicles, a significant amount in cash, a quantity of suspected cannabis, a number of high value watches and a significant amount of designer goods were also seized. The drugs seized are now subject to examination by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).”
“One male juvenile was arrested in connection with the seizure of drugs and has since being released pending referral to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.”
“This investigation remains ongoing,” the spokesman added.
Five hours before this morning’s Garda raids, residents in the Prospect area of the city were evacuated from their homes as an army bomb disposal unit made safe an improvised explosive device (IED) linked to the violent feud.
It was the second IED recovered by the authorities in the city in three days as tensions escalated between the rival groups, and the second time Gardaí requested the assistance of the Defence Forces’ bomb squad, which travelled from its base in Cork.
A Garda spokesman said earlier that “Gardaí in Limerick were alerted to a device at a residential property in Prospect at approximately 2.25am on Tuesday. A cordon was established and neighbouring properties were evacuated.”
“An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team removed an improvised device containing an accelerant for further examination. Residents were subsequently allowed to return to their homes.”
Last Sunday morning, the army bomb disposal team travelled to Limerick City to make safe an IED found near a car that was fire bombed in Ballinacurra Weston.
When Gardaí arrived at the scene, the occupants of a house told them their property had been damaged by gunfire.
The feuding is centred in flashpoint areas of Ballincaurra Weston and Southill, but has recently also spread to residential parts of Corbally.
A number of people have been injured as part of the violence, and others are before the courts charged with violent offences.
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 children will be injured or worse if the feud continues.
