Thursday 5 November 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. 30907Criminal damage (by fire) · Co. Limerick · 5 Jul 2021

Pride flag burned outside City Hall and courthouse in Merchant's Quay, Limerick

A Pride flag was set alight outside City Hall and the courthouse in Merchant's Quay, Limerick, at around 4.30pm on Monday 5 July 2021. Gardaí are investigating the incident as criminal damage by fire; no injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.

  1. Reported6 Jul
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Pride flag was burned outside City Hall and the courthouse in Merchant's Quay, Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatSean McIlfatrick was walking from the city side to a friend's house when he found the flag. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatSean McIlfatrick took a video of the flag burning. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereSean McIlfatrick is from Thomondgate. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe flag was seen smouldering at around 4.30pm on Monday 5 July 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationSean McIlfatrick reported the incident to gardai in Mayorstone on Tuesday morning. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire in Merchant's Quay. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherSean McIlfatrick is in his early 50s and is gay. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe perpetrator fled seconds before Sean arrived as the flag was still alight. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherNo injuries were reported and no arrests have been made. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherLimerick Pride was launched on Sunday 4 July 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe incident follows flags being taken down and set alight at Waterford City and County Council's buildings the previous month. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherLimerick City and County Council called the incident very disappointing and unacceptable. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Jul2021
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    WATCH: Gardai investigate burning of a Pride flag in Limerick

    Initial report of the incident with witness statement from Sean McIlfatrick, Garda confirmation of investigation, and Limerick City and County Council response.