UPDATE: Limerick hit-and-run victim who suffered ‘serious injuries’ was not intended target

A MAN who suffered “serious injuries” in a hit-and-run collision on Sunday was not the intended target, Limerick Live has learned.

The shocking incident occurred in the SuperValu car park in Castleconnell shortly before noon on Sunday. 

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It is believed the injured party, who was on foot at the time, was struck by a silver BMW. It is understood the man, aged in his 30s, was not the intended target of the offending driver.

One local told Limerick Live: “He is from the locality and works locally. He’s a nice fellow. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.”

It is believed that a silver BMW failed to remain at the scene and drove off at speed. Gardai located the vehicle a short time later in a different car park in Castleconnell, near the river.

An attempt was made to burn it but it is understood that the BMW was not extensively damaged. It was towed away for technical examination by gardai.

There are unconfirmed reports that one person has been arrested in connection with the investigation. He is not thought to be the driver.

A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí were alerted to an incident that occurred on Castle Street, Castleconnell, County Limerick on Sunday morning at approximately 11.30am.

“Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene and one male, aged in his 30's was taken to University Hospital Limerick with serious injuries. Investigations are ongoing.”

Limerick Live has learned that there was a dispute between the driver of the car and his intended target, who escaped unharmed, in the days before the incident. 

It is not known if the hit-and-run is linked to two attacks in Castleconnell in the space of 24 hours in August. Shots were fired at a house the day after a car was set alight and a home attacked.

The gun attack occurred in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon, August 9 in Scanlon Park - a housing estate on the edge of the picturesque village on the banks of the Shannon.

In the early hours of Friday morning, August 8, a group of four people wearing masks and hoods covering their faces approached a car parked on the road outside a residential premises in Castleconnell.

Members of the group were carrying what appeared to be axes, which they used to cause damage to the vehicle and house before setting the car alight. The perpetrators then sped off in the car they arrived in, driven by another individual. 

No injuries were reported in either incident.