GARDAÍ are investigating a violent attack, by people armed with a firearm and implements, on a house in the town of Rathkeale this Tuesday morning (October 28).
A group armed with a firearm and other weapons caused extensive damage to the Rathkeale home shortly before 1am this Tuesday morning.
Garda sources said the perpetrators smashed up the house with implements believed to be slash hooks, sticks, iron bars, and golf clubs.
When asked for comment, a Garda spokeswoman said that “Gardaí received a report of an incident of criminal damage that occurred at a domestic residence in Rathkeale, County Limerick, on Tuesday 28th October 2025 at approximately 12.45 am.”
The Garda spokeswoman said that “no injuries have been reported at this time” and that “investigations are ongoing”.
Local Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey has repeatedly called on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner for extra Garda resources for Rathkeale, however said none have so far been forthcoming.
“I’ve said this before about other violent attacks in the area, and last night’s attack was another example of why we need more Gardaí in Rathkeale,” Cllr Teskey said. “I’m blue in the face from saying this.”
Violent scenes have marred the town’s image over many years.
On October 17, a camper van parked in the town was destroyed in an arson attack.
In August, an armed group burst into a local pub carrying knives, slash hooks, possibly a firearm, and a caustic chemical, intending to burn a man, however the suspected target fled through the rear of the pub.
On August 21, a car was rammed off a road and the driver shot outside the town.
Last May, four houses in the town were damaged in an arson attack.
Last November, a house was damaged and a car firebombed in the town when a vehicle was driven into the front of a house.
On October 21 last year, a truck smashed into a house in the town, while in December 2022 feuding groups rammed one another’s cars and produced weapons resulting in the deployment of armed Gardaí to get a hold on the violence – which locals described as like a “war zone”.
At the time, Cllr Teskey greeted Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, then acting Minister for Justice, who pledged that additional Garda resources “would be forthcoming” in Rathkeale.
In previous years, special court sittings have been held and armed Garda support units have been deployed to the town.
Cllr Teskey said the town is braced for more violence over the Christmas period when the town’s population increases by several thousand.
Gardaí have traditionally mounted security operations in the town over the Christmas season and are expected to do that again in a bid to keep a lid on the violence this year.
“We need more Gardaí, that is the bottom line,” Cllr Teskey said.