Minister for Justice visits Rathkeale following 'utterly abhorrent' violence in town

THE Minister for Justice Simon Harris has visited Rathkeale to meet with senior gardai and public representatives following Monday's scenes of serious violence in the town.

Earlier, Mr Harris condemned what happened describing the scenes, which have been shared widely on social media,  as “utterly abhorrent”.

Speaking to reporters outside Rathkeale garda station, the minister said the level of violence used is not acceptable.

"The scale of what happened yesterday and the seriousness of it is of the utmost concern and that’s why there is such a vigorous and visible response from gardai and that’s why I wanted to be here this evening to stand in solidarity with gardai and to be briefed on the ongoing investigation," he said.

Minister for Justice Simon Harris spoke to media in Rathkeale this Tuesday evening following the incidents of dangerous driving and serious public order in the town on Monday pic.twitter.com/NEjlIuJw9z

— Limerick Leader / Limerick Live (@Limerick_Leader) December 20, 2022

The Minister also confirmed that a special meeting of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee will take place on Friday to discuss what happened, the fallout and the garda response.

"We have seen from government a willingness to put in place interagency responses and certainly we won’t be found wanting in terms of interagency responses should that be what comes from meetings taking place locally in the coming days," said Minister Harris.

Earlier this Tuesday, gardai investigating Monday's incident on the R523 Road at Boherbui, Rathkeale renewed their appeal for information.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward.  Gardaí are also appealing for any person in the Rathkeale area between 2pm and 4pm (on Monday) who may have video footage or photographs, including road users, to make those images available to gardaí," said a spokesperson.

Limerick town was like a game of ‘Grand Theft Auto’

Despite what happened, just over 24 hours later Rathkeale is like most other towns during Christmas Week.

Traffic is busy, parking spaces are at a premium and children are flying up and down the footpaths. However, there is a heavy garda presence with patrol cars and jeeps very visible.

A number of vehicles which were abandoned following the violent scenes on Monday have been seized by gardaí and taken for technical examination.

No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.