Gardaí investigating after criminal damage to headstone in Limerick

David Raleigh

Gardaí are investigating a report of criminal damage to a headstone at a grave in Limerick which suspect may be connected to violent feuding between a number of groups operating on the south of Limerick City.

A video of a damaged headstone and grave was widely shared on social media showing the smashed-up grave.

A Garda spokesman said that “Gardaí received report of criminal damage at a graveyard” on the outskirts of the city, on Saturday, 8 March, and that Garda “investigations are ongoing”.

Garda sources believe the incident is connected to feuding between rival parties involved in dealing drugs in Limerick City and County.

The feuding has intensified in recent weeks and months as the rival groups compete against one another in the illegal and illicit drugs market, particularly the sale and supply of cocaine and crack cocaine which has flooded the city supplied from foreign shores.

Tit-for-tat attacks including petrol bombings, stabbings, shootings and pipe bomb attacks, have increased as those involved try to intimidate each other.

Last Thursday a car was petrol bombed in Garryowen resulting in increased Garda patrols and Garda checkpoints in several flashpoint areas around Limerick city suburbs, including the greater Ballinacurra Weston, Hyde Road, Southill, Carew Park areas.

Those involved include members of groups directly linked to or who are associates of a feud that left up to 20 people murdered between the late 90s and early to mid 2000s.

A government-led approach to investing in a Regeneration Agency and An Garda Siochana in the mid 2000s resulted in a complete reduction in gangland murders.

However, several feuds are intensifying with gardaí fearful of a return to killings, sources said.

“Mother of sweet jesus is there nothing sacred anymore,” asked a person in a social media post underneath a video of the damaged grave.

Another person expressing their horror at the video of the vandalised grave, wrote: “Omg that is just sick you do not disturb the dead.”

Another person stated: “The lowest form of evil, absolutely disgusting behaviour.”

The Defence Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), which deals with retrieving and disposing of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) has responded to several IED incidents in Limerick City in recent months.