RESIDENTS in the Prospect area of Limerick City were evacuated from their homes this Tuesday morning (April 15) as an army bomb disposal unit made safe a second improvised explosive device in the city in three days, as a violent feud escalated between rival groups.
Gardaí requested the assistance of the Defence Forces bomb squad after the firebomb device was discovered at a house around 2.25am this Tuesday morning.
“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,” a Garda spokesman said.
“An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team removed an improvised device containing an accelerant for further examination. Residents were subsequently allowed to return to their homes,” they added.
The army bomb disposal team, which is based in Cork, travelled to Limerick City this past Sunday morning to make safe an improvised explosive device (IED) found near a car that was firebombed in Ballinacurra Weston.
When Gardaí arrived at the scene, the occupants of a house told them that their property had been damaged by gunfire.
Gardaí believe the incidents are linked to individuals involved in an ongoing violent feud between rival crime families on the south side of the city.
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.
