GARDAÍ are continuing to seek information in respect of a savage attack on a young Limerick mother on the Limerick-Tipperary border last weekend.
Scarlet Faulkner 20s, from Limerick City, suffered critical head injuries when she was attacked at a roadside, located outside Birdhill village, at around 5.30pm on March 21.
The savage attack, along with video footage posted online in the days since the incident, has caused deep shock and upset across Limerick.
At the time of going to print, the mother of one and member of the Traveller community remained gravely ill at Cork University Hospital, where she was taken after being initially airlifted by a Coast Guard rescue helicopter to University Hospital Limerick.
Video footage shared across social media of the attack shows a man brandishing what appears to be a hatchet next to a woman, who was not Ms Faulkner, as two other men approach them, one of whom was armed with what appeared to be a sword, as a second women fled the scene on foot.
The shocking footage then shows another woman using a mobile phone to record a fourth woman who appeared to be repeatedly striking another person on the ground, believed to be Ms Faulkner, with a long implement.
The savage scenes that played out on the R494 afternoon shocked the nation and were roundly condemned.
Limerick Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State at the Justice Department, Niall Collins, said “it’s truly concerning and people are asking the question, what happened here?”
“How could such a brutal incident happen on a public road in the middle of the day,” he told RTÉ News.
Minister Collins called the incident “truly shocking” and appealed “to anybody who has information to please contact the Gardaí”.
Members of Ms Faulkner’s family asked on social media for people to pray for her survival and recovery.
An online post from a family member read: “Can everyone please continue to pray for Scarlett as the doctors have told the family they have never seen a brain injury so bad.”
“They will try to reduce the sedation the next few days and please God she will have movement and some brain activity.”
A statement posted online by Traveller rights group, Pavee Point, said the organisation was sending “our deepest support to Scarlett Faulkner and her family following the abhorrent assault she suffered in County Tipperary. We hope that she makes a full recovery from this unspeakable attack.”
“We understand that this is a live investigation and we would absolutely encourage, and ask, that anyone with any information about the assailants to come forward to An Garda Síochána.
“Such appalling acts of violence towards women, including Traveller and Roma women, should not be tolerated and those responsible held accountable for their actions.”
Investigating Gardaí said they were specifically interested in hearing from people with information on or who may have seen two vehicles believed to have been used by persons involved in the assault.
“In particular, Gardaí are seeking information on the movements of two vehicles, a grey 162 Ford Transit van and a blue 161 Volkswagen Touran people carrier, travelling in convoy or driving dangerously between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on Saturday 21st March 2026 in and around Birdhill village, the townlands of Cooleen, Crag Cross, Shower Cross, Kylebeg, Annaholty and Thornhill, all in County Tipperary,” a Garda spokesperson said.
Gardaí were also anxious to receive video footage from any road users travelling in the vicinity of the assault last Saturday.
“Gardaí are aware of video footage of the incident circulating online and ask members of the public not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to investigating Gardaí,” they added.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station on 067 50 450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.