Limerick house attack linked to ‘obscene’ incident in Charleville

An early morning burglary in Patrickswell by masked men with sharp hooks preceded an attack on a house in Charleville which left a 12-year-old boy requiring surgery, the Limerick Leader can reveal.

The girl was taken to Cork University Hospital with what are believed to be serious head injuries before being transferred to Temple Street Children’s Hospital for surgery. She is now said to be “well”.

The Charleville incident occurred on Monday 19 August at around 11.30pm at a property in Newline.

The girl is believed to have been injured when a tool was thrown through the front door as the masked raiders tried to break into the family home.

The Leader has learned that an aggravated burglary in Lisheen Park, Patrickswell, on Friday morning, August 9, is believed to be linked to the North Cork attack.

A Garda spokesman said: “At approximately 7am several individuals entered a residence in Patrickswell and assaulted two occupants of the residence.

“One of the occupants, a man in his twenties, attended University Hospital Limerick for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.”

The Garai say investigations into the aggravated burglary are ongoing.

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The perpetrators are believed to have been armed with sharp knives and the victim suffered a serious laceration to the hand.

The Charleville incident is believed to be linked to what happened at Patrickswell.

It is not known what sparked the feud between the Limerick and Cork families, as there is no history of conflict between them.

Authorities hope ‘common sense will prevail’ after little girl injured

Charleville parish priest Fr Donal O’Mahony said those involved in the ongoing alleged feud must “find peace in God”.

Father O’Mahony said Charleville residents are praying every day at Mass for the girl’s full recovery.

“I think we need to redirect people to the source of their being, which is God himself,” Father O’Mahony said.

“We must bring people back to Jesus himself to overcome our difficulties as humanity.

“Jesus is sent as God’s solution to all our human problems and violence only breeds more violence.”

The priest said that even in difficult times, it is important for people to know where they can find peace.

“There is great anxiety all over the world at the moment, and people need to know where to find the meaning of life by looking to the source of their being, which is the Church and God.”

Father O’Mahony condemned the violence in the town, as did Superintendent Gary McPolin, who is leading the Garda investigation.

“This happened on a Monday night, it is unacceptable, inexcusable and will not be tolerated, either by the local community or the police,” Supt McPolin said.

“The people of Charleville are completely disgusted with what is happening in their town. It is a very law-abiding town with very honest people who have very good relationships with the wardens and vice versa,” the commissioner added.

A local resident called the incident “obscene.”

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Mallow Police Station on 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any police station.

A Garda spokesman said on Tuesday that no further information was available at this time.

“Investigations are ongoing,” the police spokesman said.

Gardaí from Roxboro Road are leading the investigation into the aggravated burglary in Patrickswell.

Anyone with information that could assist detectives with their investigations is asked to contact Roxboro Police Station on 061 214340.