Gardaí in County Limerick have issued a stern warning amidst the ongoing feud-related violence in the city, which includes drive-by shootings and petrol bomb attacks.

Recent incidents of violence, some of which have been circulated on social media, have raised concerns about the safety of innocent bystanders and the potential resurgence of gangland killings in Limerick. However, the police force has assured the public that they are taking action to prevent such outcomes.

In the most recent incident, shots were fired from a moving vehicle in the Southill area of the city shortly after midnight on Friday. Multiple gunshots were directed towards a house in Valley View in O'Malley Park before the car sped away.

No injuries were reported in this incident, which occurred a month after a similar drive-by shooting in the Hyde Road area of Ballinacurra Weston, where houses were targeted and windows were shattered. Footage shared on social media showed an individual firing up to nine shots from a moving car.

These shootings follow petrol and pipe bomb attacks and months of heightened security measures in the Hyde Road and Southill areas, including increased police patrols in uniform, plainclothes, and armed officers, supported by specialized units like the Garda Regional Support Unit, Bomb Disposal Teams, and the Emergency Response Unit.

A resident in the Hyde Road area described the local community as resilient, attributing the violence to a small group of troublemakers. She expressed concerns about the safety of residents and hoped for a return to normalcy in the area.

Reports suggest the emergence of a new generation of organized criminal groups more than a decade after the infamous territorial drug feud between the McCarthy Dundon and Keane Collopy gangs, which claimed the lives of at least 14 individuals in Limerick between 2000 and 2010.

The head of the Limerick Garda Division has reassured the public that they will not tolerate a return to that level of violence. Chief Superintendent Derek Smart emphasized that individuals will be held accountable for their actions.

Chief Supt Smart acknowledged a rise in violent incidents involving various organized crime groups and highlighted the utilization of organized crime legislation to prosecute offenders and ensure the safety of the community.

He encouraged residents to report crimes and cooperate with law enforcement to facilitate investigations, emphasizing the importance of community policing and building trust with the public.

Expressing concerns about the strain on police resources due to the relentless pursuit of organized crime, Chief Supt Smart raised the issue with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan during a recent visit to Henry Street Garda Station.

Limerick Mayor John Moran urged residents to avoid engaging in criminal activities and emphasized the need for peaceful conflict resolution. He assured the public of the council's commitment to supporting law enforcement efforts and local communities.

Minister O'Callaghan commended the efforts of the police in addressing violent feuds and pledged to provide necessary resources to combat crime effectively.