ARMED Gardaí maintained a heavy presence at the Hyde Road in Limerick this Wednesday as tensions rose following a gun attack on the street.
Members of the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU), carrying Heckler & Kotch MP7 submachine guns and Sig Sauer 9mm pistols, as well as less lethal weapons, have become a regular sight on the Hyde Road in recent weeks and months.
A bullet hole, which had ripped into a window frame of the home at 5am, was clearly visible as Gardaí carried out house-to-house enquiries.
A number of homes, green areas, as well as the Hyde Road itself, were closed off by Gardaí to allow forensic investigators search for bullet casings, weapons, DNA, and any other clues as to who was behind the shooting.
There was shock and alarm among residents who had thought the violence had gone away after Gardaí ended a gangland war in the city over 10 years ago.
However, violence, in the form of drive-by shootings, pipe bomb explosions, and intimidation and threats has resurfaced.
Criminals aligned to rival drug organised crime groups based on the south side of the city have been engaged in a tit-for-tat feuding.
No one was injured in this morning’s gun attack, which is the latest in a string of violent incidents in the community.
A Garda spokeswoman said: “Gardaí attended the scene following report of an incident involving the discharge of a firearm, at a residential location in the Ballinacurra area, Limerick City, this morning, Wednesday 29th April 2026 at approximately 5.30am.”
“No injuries have been reported at this time. Investigations are ongoing,” they added.
Several Garda investigations are continuing into drive-by shootings and pipe bomb attacks in the area.
Last Sunday afternoon, a male was injured and treated in hospital following a hatchet/slash hook attack at Hyde Road.
It’s unclear at this stage if this morning’s shooting is linked to the other recent violence in the area.
Gardaí were also investigating if this morning’s shooting was linked to feuding between rival families.