GARDAÍ are investigating a drive-by shooting in the city this past weekend, after footage of the attack, from inside the suspects’ car, was posted online.
Shootings have recently become commonplace in some parts of the city as part of an ongoing feud between rival criminal groups.
The latest drive-by shooting occurred in the early hours of last Saturday morning (February 21).
A video shared online shows a masked male driving a car and slowing the vehicle down to fire a quick burst shots out of the driver’s window from a handgun at a home.
The trigger man’s face is covered with a mask and he is wearing gloves while firing the gun, the footage showed.
Gardaí confirmed that gunshots were “fired at a residential property in John Carew Park, Limerick, in the early hours of 21st February”, adding that “criminal damage” was caused to a property, but “no persons were injured”.
“Investigations are ongoing,” Gardaí said.
Over the past two years, Gardaí have responded to a surge in surge in gun attacks on homes in Limerick, most frequently in south side city suburbs. Petrol-bomb and pipe-bomb attacks have also increased in the same areas due to a feud between rival drug.
No deaths have resulted from the current feuding so far, however several people have been treated for serious injuries.
Gardaí are continuing to monitor individuals involved in the violence and have charged a number before the courts.
Nightly Garda patrols have also been placed in flashpoint areas where the violence has been centralised.
Limerick Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan called on the Minister for Justice to sanction further Garda resources for Limerick, warning the “escalation in gang violence in Limerick is putting innocent lives at risk”.
“People impacted by this violence have advised me that families are sleeping in shifts. Some sleep while others guard the front door or monitor the CCTV cameras – doing so for fear of a petrol-bomb being lobbed at their house,” said Deputy Quinlivan.
“Without a robust response, I fear we will see an escalation, a continued frustration in the community, and the loss of life.
“We have seen violence escalate to dramatic proportions, particularly in the Ballinacurra Weston and surrounding areas. Unfortunately for fear of criminal retaliation, much of this violence has gone unreported.
“The most recent incidents have included gun and arson attacks on homes, assault of persons in the area, and the threat of violence against others,” added Deputy Quinlivan.
“Limerick people will vividly recall the violent criminality that plagued our city in the early 2000s. Without robust intervention, I fear we are not far from a return to those dark days.
“I believe the Gardaí in Limerick are doing their job in some of the most challenging of circumstances. However, I feel that more support is needed for them to combat this increase in gang violence,” said Mr Quinlivan.
At the end of last month, 30 newly attested Gardai were deployed to the Limerick Garda Division.