Ireland Gardaí seize firearms in investigation of footballer shot during match in Rearcross, Co Tipperary
On Saturday 6 January 2024, shortly after 9pm, an adult male playing for Rearcross FC against Ballymackey FC in a Junior B match was shot in the arm at a soccer venue in Rear Cross, Co Tipperary. The reports do not give his name, age or nationality, and his injuries are not life-threatening; he was taken to University Hospital Limerick and discharged the next morning. Gardaí suspect a stray round from hunters may have hit him, but the origin of the gunfire has not been determined. On 24 January 2024 gardaí reported seizing licensed firearms, including at least one rifle, and ammunition for ballistics testing, and a male had spoken informally to gardaí, but no arrests or charges have been made.
- Reported6 Jan
4 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- An adult male playing in a soccer match under floodlights was shot in one arm.
- Where
- The shooting happened on soccer pitches at a sports venue in Rear Cross, Co Tipperary.
- When
- The shooting happened shortly after 9pm on Saturday, 6 January 2024.
- Other details
- The man was playing for Rearcross FC against Ballymackey FC in a Junior B match in Division 2 of the Tipperary & District League.
- His injuries are not life-threatening; he was treated at the scene, taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick and discharged the next morning.
- Cause
- The man may have been hit by a stray round from hunters firing nearby, with gardaí strongly suspecting an accidental shot from a hunter's firearm, but the origin of the gunfire has not been determined.
- Weapon
- Gardaí have seized licensed firearms, including at least one rifle, and ammunition.
- Investigation
- The firearms and ammunition are to be tested by the Garda Ballistics Section to see if they match the bullet removed from the man's arm.
- Nenagh gardaí are investigating, have appealed for witnesses and asked anyone who may have been hunting in the area to come forward.
- A male spoke informally to gardaí in Nenagh to help with their inquiries.
- The scene was preserved for forensic and technical examination.
- Anyone with information can contact Nenagh Garda Station on 067-50450 or the Garda Confidential Line.
- Charges
- No arrests or charges have been made, and gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry.
36 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAn adult male taking part in a soccer match under floodlights was shot in the arm. (garda.ie)
- whatAn adult male participating in a soccer match under floodlights sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man was shot and wounded while playing football under floodlights in Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe injured man suffered a gunshot wound to one of his arms. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man was shot while playing a competitive soccer match. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe gunshot injury was non-life-threatening. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at a sports venue in Rear Cross, Co Tipperary. (garda.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at a sports venue in Rear Cross, County Tipperary. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened on soccer pitches in Rear Cross, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe shooting happened in Rearcross, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened shortly after 9pm. (garda.ie)
- whenGardaí and emergency services responded just after 9pm on Saturday. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe shooting happened at about 9pm on Saturday night. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe shooting happened on January 6th. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe man may have been hit by a stray round from hunters who opened fire nearby. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí strongly suspect the shooting was accidental and was caused by a hunter. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí suspect the incident was a freak accident caused by a stray bullet from a hunter's firearm. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe scene has been preserved for forensic and technical examination. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are particularly appealing to anyone who may have been hunting in the area at the time to come forward. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are particularly appealing to people who may have been hunting in the area at the time to come forward. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and particularly for people who may have been hunting in the area. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation is being carried out by gardaí from Nenagh station. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have seized licensed firearms, including at least one rifle, and ammunition. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe firearms and ammunition are to be tested by the Garda Ballistics Section to see if they match a bullet removed from the injured player's arm. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA male spoke informally to gardaí in Nenagh to help with their inquiries. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNo arrests have been made, and gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have appealed for anyone with information to contact Nenagh Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe man was treated at the scene and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man's injuries are not life-threatening. (garda.ie)
- otherAnyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station on 067-50450 or the Garda Confidential Line. (garda.ie)
- otherHis injuries are not life-threatening. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man was playing for Rearcross FC against Ballymackey FC in a Junior B team match. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe origin of the gunfire is yet to be determined. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe injured man was treated at the scene and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe injured man was discharged from hospital the following morning. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Jan2024Gardaí seize firearms and ammunition in ‘freak’ case of footballer shot during match
First report on the Rearcross shooting. It adds that licensed firearms and ammunition were seized, that they are being sent for ballistics testing, and that a male spoke informally to gardaí in Nenagh. No existing case covers this incident.
victim, male - 7 Jan2024Gardaí suspect man shot during soccer match in Tipperary was wounded by hunters
Adds that the man was hit in one arm at about 9pm, was treated at the scene and taken to University Hospital Limerick, and was later discharged. Gardaí from Nenagh station are investigating and appealing to hunters in the area. The origin of the gunfire is not yet determined.
victim, male - 6 Jan2024Gardaí appeal for witnesses after firearms incident near Tipperary sports venue
Original press coverage of the shooting. It gives the time and place, the victim's injury and hospital transfer, and the Garda witness appeal aimed at people who may have been hunting. It does not mention a suspect, an arrest or a suspected source of the shot.
victim, male - 6 Jan2024Witness Appeal - Firearms Incident Rear Cross, County Tipperary, Saturday 6th January 2024.
Garda witness appeal issued the same day. It adds that the man was treated at the scene and taken to University Hospital Limerick, that his injuries are not life-threatening, that the scene is preserved for forensic examination, and that gardaí want to hear from people who may have been hunting in the area.
victim, male