A LOCAL councillor has called again for extra Gardaí to be deployed to Rathkeale, County Limerick, following an arson attack on a camper van in the town.
The blaze broke out on Thomas Street in the town shortly after 9pm on Friday night last (October 17).
Gardaí are investigating a motive for the attack, including possible links to tensions between rival local groups.
Local councillor Adam Teskey said he has been calling for additional Garda resources for several years on foot of a number of violent incidents.
Cllr Teskey said the attack was “another example of why we require additional Garda resources in Rathkeale. I’m blue in the face from saying it.”
“We have all seen what these type of incidents can lead to, further serious violence, and we need extra Garda resources to effectively deal with it.
“I have previously asked the Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner to provide these additional resources to Rathkeale and I would make that call again.”
The arson attack took place a short distance from Rathkeale Garda Station, however Cllr Teskey said “the area does not have sufficient Gardaí to be able to respond to serious incidents if, for example, they are dealing with a road traffic collision outside the town”.
Gardaí said they are investigating the attack, explaining that “Gardaí received a report of criminal damage by fire to a camper van in Rathkeale, County Limerick, at around 9.10pm on 17th October 2025”.
“The fire was extinguished by Limerick Fire and Rescue. No injuries were reported,” added the spokesman.
Cllr Teskey said the town is braced for potential violent flare ups over the Christmas period, when the town’s population increases with members of the Traveling community. Families travel in large numbers to the town from abroad for the extended festive period, when the population of Rathkeale can increase by several thousand.
Violent scenes have marred the town’s image over successive years due to violence involving the community.
In previous years, special court sittings have been held and armed support units within An Garda Síochána have been deployed to the town.
Special HSE triage clinics, staffed by a GP, nurse, and administration personnel, have been also been provided in the town during the holiday season, providing services to both local families as well as visitors with established entitlement for services under the GMS Scheme, the European Health Insurance Card, or NHS medical card holders.
The triage units were set up as a means to prevent potential major delays at the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick.
20 Garda recruits were deployed to Limerick last August and were to be stationed in the city environs. At the time, County Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue criticised the lack of new recruits for the county.
The Garda drug unit in the county has also been depleted, however when questioned about resources in the county, An Garda Síochána said that “for operational reasons” it “does not comment on current or future deployment of resources”.
The violence has not arose only during the influx of population at Christmas time.
Last August, a gang of armed men burst into a local pub carrying knives, slash hooks, and a caustic chemical, intending to burn a man, however the suspected target fled through fields having left through the rear of the pub.
On August 21, a car was rammed off a road and the driver shot in another violent clash in the surrounding local townland of Kilcoole.
Last November, a house was damaged and a car firebombed in the town when a vehicle was driven into the front of a house.
Last October, a truck smashed into another house and petrol bombs fired at the property causing major damage.
Last May, four houses was firebombed in the town.
Gardaí have mounted security operations around the town over the Christmas season previously and are expected to do that again this year in a bid to keep a lid on the violence.