Feuding Limerick families come to truce after bare knuckle fights

PEACE has broken out between two feuding families in Kilmallock that caused armed gardai to patrol the streets, and even stopped a train on the Heuston to Cork rail line.

Tensions have been high in the town following a night of violence with a man reportedly injured in a slash hook attack.

The Leader has learned that three members of each of the rival families met in a secret location on Saturday night and  went toe-to-toe with a foe in a bare knuckle fight.

“There were three fights - one after another. I can’t tell you who won but after the ‘straighteners’ senior members of the two families came together to clear the air. They agreed to come to a truce and put it all to bed. 

“The truce is now in place which will hopefully mean normality is restored to the town. The guards have enough to be doing without dealing with this kind of stuff,” said a local source.

Prior to the two families meeting to sort out their differences with their fists, the Leader had seen a so-called call-out video. The man in the clip, shared on social media, swore on a person’s grave that, “You’re going down, I’ll put ye down”.

The feud started on All-Ireland semi-final day. One source told the Leader that members of two families were among those watching the match between Limerick and Cork in a hostelry, which is not located in the town, on that Sunday afternoon.

“Something happened or was said and a row broke out between members of two rival families. This continued on back in Kilmallock later in the evening,” said the source.

It is understood one man was struck with a slash hook during a fight. It is believed a complaint has not been made to gardai regarding the incident at this time.

A garda spokesperson confirmed gardaí attended in Kilmallock following reports of a public order incident at Fairyfield on Sunday evening, July 7.

“No arrests were made and enquiries are ongoing,” said a garda spokesperson. 

Gardai from Buff, backed up by the Regional Support Unit, were situated at strategic points in the town that Sunday evening. Increased garda patrols continued in Kilmallock during the week to ensure tensions between the rival families didn’t escalate further.

One local said: “There were garda cars and jeeps flying around the place and the guards dressed all in black with the submachine guns were out.

“In fairness to the gardai, they were on fast and they made their presence felt to keep a lid on things.”

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A train bringing jubilant Cork fans and some despondent Limerick hurling supporters home was even forced to stop due to the public order incident spilling out onto the railway line.

The incident took place in Fairyfield, Kilmallock at around 10pm on Sunday night, July 7. 

It is understood the driver of the packed train from Heuston to Cork had to slow and briefly stop as he saw members of the public on the line. 

There are reports that men on the railway line were either fighting or running from the public order incident. 

However, the train driver was able to make up time after the brief stoppage as an Irish Rail spokesperson said: “All Heuston to Cork services on  Sunday afternoon and evening arrived on time.”

Gardai continue to investigate the alleged public order incident in Kilmallock. 

Anybody with information is asked  to contact Bruff gardai on 061 382940.