Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10740Assault · Co. Limerick

Man attacked in Limerick city on St Patrick's Day dies in hospital

On Tuesday 17 March 2026, St Patrick's Day, Liam Higgins was injured in an incident allegedly involving a group of people outside Radcliffe's Pub on Athlunkard Street, Limerick City. Darren Mason was charged with assault causing harm to Higgins, and CCTV footage allegedly shows him stamping on Higgins's head while he lay motionless; Mason told gardaí he acted in self-defence. At Limerick District Court, Judge Patricia Harney refused Mason bail and remanded him in custody to appear on 24 March for directions from the DPP, and three men have been charged in the investigation. Higgins has since died in hospital, a death reported on 26 March 2026, with a post-mortem due at University Hospital Limerick and gardaí still seeking other people for questioning.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Liam Higgins was injured in an alleged assault and has since died in hospital.
  • CCTV footage allegedly shows Darren Mason stamping on Higgins's head while he lay motionless.
Where
The incident happened on Athlunkard Street, Limerick City, outside Radcliffe's Pub.
When
  • The attack happened on Tuesday 17 March 2026, St Patrick's Day.
  • The death was reported on 26 March 2026.
Cause
Higgins was allegedly attacked by a group of people.
Other details
  • Mason told gardaí he acted in self-defence and received stitches for two stab wounds and a slash wound to one arm.
  • The index dates these articles 1 March 2026, but the pages show 19 March and 26 March 2026.
Investigation
  • A post-mortem examination is due at University Hospital Limerick, and investigations are ongoing.
  • Gardaí are seeking other people for questioning about the events.
  • Gardaí arrested two men in their 20s during Mason's court appearance.
Charges
Mason was charged with assault causing harm to Liam Higgins, and three men have been charged in relation to the investigation.
In court
  • The three men have previously appeared before court, and Judge Patricia Harney refused Mason bail.
  • Mason was remanded in custody to appear again on 24 March for directions from the DPP.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man has died. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatCCTV footage allegedly shows Mason stamping on Higgins's head while he lay motionless. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe man was injured in an incident on Athlunkard Street in Limerick city. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened on Athlunkard Street, Limerick City, outside Radcliffe's Pub. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe attack happened on St Patrick's Day. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on Tuesday 17 March 2026. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe man was allegedly attacked by a group of people. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationA post-mortem examination is due to be carried out at University Hospital Limerick. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are seeking other people for questioning about the events. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested two men in their 20s during Mason's court appearance. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThree men have been charged in relation to the investigation. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeMason was charged with assault causing harm to Liam Higgins. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe three men have previously appeared before court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Patricia Harney refused bail. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMason was remanded in custody to appear again on 24 March for directions from the DPP. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMason told gardaí he acted in self-defence. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMason received stitches for two stab wounds and a slash wound to one arm. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Man appears in court charged with St Patrick’s Day assault in Limerick

    Reports the Limerick District Court appearance, the bail refusal and remand in custody, the self-defence claim, and two further arrests.

    victim, Liam Higgins, 55, male, irish (judged from name)Liam Higginsaccused, Darren Mason, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Masonsuspect, 20s, malesuspect, 20s, male
  2. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man attacked in Limerick city on St Patrick's Day has died in hospital

    Reports the death of the man injured in the St Patrick's Day attack on Athlunkard Street, and that three men have been charged and previously appeared before court.

    victim, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, male