Four homes torched in Rathkeale were owned by same family

FOUR homes torched in Rathkeale earlier this month were owned by the same family - three brothers and a nephew - Limerick Live has learned

“It was very well orchestrated and planned. They knew what they were doing. It was brazen because three of the houses are a stone’s throw from the garda station. It is a miracle nobody was killed,” said the source.

It is believed there were women and children in two houses. The other two properties were empty.

READ MORE: Series of criminal damage incidents in Limerick investigated by gardaí

The Leader has learned that a woman in the first house that was fire-bombed heard the window being smashed. 

It is thought that after getting herself and her children safe she rang a sister-in-law to alert her and while they were talking on the phone, the perpetrators attacked her house. 

As she had already been awoken it made her route to safety faster. One of the houses was  rammed by a lorry last year.

A garda spokesperson confirmed officers received a report of a number of incidents of criminal damage by fire that occurred to properties in Rathkeale on Friday, May 2. “No injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing,” said a garda spokesperson.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Niall Collins and local councillors - Adam Teskey and Ger Ward - walked the streets of Rathkeale on the following day (Saturday)  and spoke to locals.

Mr Collins said the town’s residents are upset and concerned.

“People believe the arson attacks are part of the feud. There must be a resolution to the feud. It is not fair on the extended families of those involved or the local community,” said Mr Collins.

He called on people in the local community who have knowledge of the arson attacks to pass it onto gardai to assist them in bringing the perpetrators before the courts.

Cllr Teskey said what occurred under the cloak of darkness was “reprehensible”.

“People have to be brought to justice in a manner fitting of the State. Law and order of the State must prevail at all times.

“I would urge anyone to deter from taking the law into their own hands and that is exactly what we are seeing happening here,” said Cllr Teskey.

The Fine Gael councillor said they have a fantastic superintendent (Michael Fleming) and gardai but they need more resources.

“It was promised by the acting Minister of Justice and now Tanaiste, Simon Harris, when he visited Rathkeale in December 2022 following the major ramming incident.

“It is all good to talk about this but talk needs to turn into action. This has to stop, law and order has to be restored and gardai have to be sufficiently resourced,” said Cllr Teskey.