Case No. 0931Discharge of a firearm · Co. Limerick · 21 Aug 2025

Two men arrested over firearm discharge in Rathkeale

On 21 August 2025, a man in his 40s sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and hip after a vehicle was rammed and a firearm was discharged in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale, County Limerick. He was treated at University Hospital Limerick for injuries described as not life-threatening, and a car was found burnt out at the scene. Gardaí searched up to six Rathkeale properties on 1 September, seizing a significant sum of cash and four vehicles. Three people were arrested on 1 October 2025 in a planned operation, and two men in their 20s and 40s were arrested on 8 October 2025, all detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

  1. Reported21 Aug
    7 reports
  2. Arrested1 Oct
    6 reports
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man in his 40s sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and hip after a vehicle was rammed and a firearm was discharged during an altercation.
  • A car was found burnt out at the scene and was to be the subject of a Garda forensic examination.
  • The injured man was transferred to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of injuries described as not life-threatening, and was later transferred to Cork University Hospital.
Where
The incident occurred in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale, County Limerick, at a location known as the Stoneyman on the Rathkeale to Askeaton road.
When
The incident occurred shortly after 6:30pm on Thursday, 21 August 2025.
Weapon
A firearm was discharged during the altercation.
Investigation
  • Gardaí searched up to six Rathkeale properties on 1 September 2025, seizing a significant five-figure sum of cash and four vehicles including a luxury Mercedes jeep.
  • Three people, aged in their mid-teens, 20s and 40s, were arrested in a planned Garda operation in Rathkeale on 1 October 2025.
  • Two men in their 20s and 40s were arrested on 8 October 2025 in connection with the discharge of a firearm.
  • Gardaí are appealing for dash-cam and camera footage from road users in the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas between 6:15pm and 7:30pm on 21 August 2025.
Other details
The arrested individuals are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at Garda stations in County Limerick.
115 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was shot in County Limerick (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA vehicle was reportedly rammed (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA vehicle was rammed during the altercation (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA man was shot in the hip area (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe injured man is in his 40s and was transferred to University Hospital Limerick (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe injuries are not believed to be life-threatening (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA car was later found burnt out (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA man was shot and a car was rammed in Co Limerick on Thursday evening. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA car was found burnt out at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA man in his 40s was brought to University Hospital Limerick with non-life-threatening injuries. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man had suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and hip. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí and emergency services received a report of a vehicle being rammed and an altercation in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA vehicle was rammed and an altercation occurred in Kilcoole, near Rathkeale (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe injured man suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and hip (thejournal.ie, limerickpost.ie)
  • whatA car was found burnt out in the area (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe man was brought to University Hospital Limerick (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe man's injuries were described as not life-threatening (thejournal.ie)
  • whatA man was shot and a car was rammed in County Limerick (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatA car was found burned out (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatThe man's injuries were described by Gardaí as not life-threatening (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatA man aged in his 40s was transferred to University Hospital Limerick for treatment (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatGardaí and emergency services received a report of a vehicle being rammed and an altercation in Kilcoole, near Rathkeale (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatA vehicle was rammed during the incident. (limerickleader.ie, rte.ie)
  • whatA man in his 40s was transferred to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of injuries. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe injuries were not believed to be life-threatening at the time. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA vehicle was rammed and an altercation occurred in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale, shortly after 6:30pm on 21 August 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA man in his 40s was transferred to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of injuries not believed to be life-threatening. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe victim was shot in the hip or stomach area. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe man was still in hospital receiving treatment as of Friday, 28 August 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA vehicle was rammed and a man was shot in Rathkeale. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe shooting victim was treated at University Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatGardaí responded to reports of a vehicle being rammed and an altercation shortly after 6.30pm. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA violent incident took place in August. (rte.ie)
  • whatA man in his 40s was injured and treated at University Hospital Limerick. (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí responded to reports of a vehicle being rammed and an altercation. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatA man in his 40s sustained injuries and was treated at University Hospital Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatTwo men in their 20s and 40s were arrested following the discharge of a firearm near Rathkeale. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatTwo men were arrested in connection with a shooting in a townland in County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatA firearm was discharged in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, on 21 August 2025. (garda.ie)
  • whatTwo men in their 20s and 40s were arrested on 8 October 2025. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe man was transported to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe injured man was brought to University Hospital Limerick (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe shooting happened in Rathkeale, County Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened in the townland of Kilcoole. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe three people were arrested in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. (rte.ie)
  • whereGardaí were questioning three men over a ramming and shooting of a man in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe shooting happened at Kilcoole, Rathkeale. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe firearm was discharged in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe shooting happened in the townland of Kilcoole, near Rathkeale, County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe two men are being detained at a Garda Station in Co. Limerick. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe shooting occurred in West Limerick shortly before 7pm on 21 August 2025 (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred shortly after 6.30pm on 21 August 2025 (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at about 6.30pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred at around 6.30pm on 21 August 2025 (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at around 6.30pm on Thursday 21 August 2025 (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday, 21 August 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe shooting happened on Thursday, 21 August. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on a Thursday evening, 21 August 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 21 August. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on the evening of 21 August 2025. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe firearm was discharged on August 21. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe shooting took place on 21 August 2025. (limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponA firearm was discharged during the altercation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • weaponA firearm was discharged during the incident. (limerickleader.ie, rte.ie, limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponA firearm was discharged. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched a major investigation (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe scene was preserved for technical examination (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationA major garda enquiry has been launched (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for dash-cam footage from the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas between 6.15pm and 7.30pm (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and camera footage from road users in the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas between 6.15pm and 7.30pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe burnt-out car is to be the subject of a Garda forensic examination (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating the incident (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for dash-cam footage from the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas between 6:15pm and 7:30pm on 21 August 2025 (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe burned car is to be the subject of a Garda forensic examination (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for road users with camera footage who were travelling in the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas between 6.15pm and 7.30pm on 21 August 2025 (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationThe scene is being preserved for technical examination. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are seeking dash-cam footage from road users in the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas between 6:15pm and 7:30pm on 21 August. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationWitnesses are asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for dash-cam footage from road users in the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas between 6:15pm and 7:30pm on 21 August 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí executed a search under warrant at a domestic residence in Rathkeale on Monday, 1 September. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationUp to six houses in Rathkeale were reportedly raided by gardaí. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationA quantity of cash was seized in the search. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe seized cash is reportedly a significant five-figure sum. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationFour vehicles were seized during the searches, including a high-end luxury Mercedes jeep. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said investigations are ongoing. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí from the Crime Functional Area, Limerick, carried out a planned operation in Rathkeale in the early hours of Wednesday morning. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThree individuals were arrested during the operation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationAll three arrested people are male and aged in their mid teens, 20s and 40s. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí executed a search under warrant at a residence in Rathkeale on Monday, 1 September. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized a quantity of cash and a luxury jeep as part of follow-up enquiries into the shooting. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationFour vehicles in total were seized during the searches. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident on 21 August to come forward. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said the investigation is ongoing. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí carried out a planned operation in Rathkeale and arrested three people. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThree suspects were arrested on 1 October 2025 in a planned Garda operation in the Rathkeale area. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationThe three suspects were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the ramming of a car and the shooting of its driver. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationGardaí appealed for road users with camera or dash-cam footage from Kilcoole and Rathkeale on 21 August 2025 to contact them. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationTwo men, one in his 20s and one in his 40s, were arrested. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations into the shooting are ongoing. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations into the incident are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe injured man is believed to be from West Limerick (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherA large crowd of family members gathered at the hospital (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherA man in his 40s was injured and treated at University Hospital Limerick before being transferred to Cork University Hospital. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe three are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at garda stations in County Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe three arrested people were aged in their mid-teens, 20s and 40s. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe arrested people are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe three suspects were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at Garda stations in County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherBoth men are being detained at a garda station in County Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe men are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939/89, as amended. (limerickleader.ie, garda.ie)
  • otherThe two men were being detained at a Garda station in County Limerick under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Oct2025
    Update: Arrests - Violent incident in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Wednesday 8th October 2025

    First report of the incident and the two arrests; no further details on the circumstances or any injuries given.

    suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, male
  2. 8 Oct2025
    Two arrests over gunshots in County Limerick

    Reports the arrests of two men over the 21 August 2025 shooting in Kilcoole. No existing case in the list covers this incident.

    suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, male
  3. 8 Oct2025
    BREAKING: Two men arrested following the discharge of a firearm in County Limerick

    Reports the arrest of two men over the discharge of a firearm near Rathkeale and gives the date of the discharge as August 21.

    suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, male
  4. 2 Oct2025
    Three arrested in connection with gun attack and ramming of motorist in Rathkeale

    Adds that three suspects, aged in their mid teens, 20s and 40s, were arrested on 1 October 2025 and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. Gardaí issued a fresh appeal for dash-cam and camera footage.

    victim, 40s, malesuspect, mid teens, malesuspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, male
  5. 2 Oct2025
    Three people arrested over violent incident in Limerick

    Reports the arrest of three people (two men and a teenager, aged in their mid-teens, 20s and 40s) in Rathkeale over the August Kilcoole incident, in which a vehicle was rammed and a firearm discharged.

    victim, 40s, malesuspectsuspectsuspect
  6. 1 Oct2025
    BREAKING: Three men arrested over gun attack in Limerick

    Adds the location (townland of Kilcoole), the ramming and firearm discharge, the injured man's transfer to Cork University Hospital, the detention under Section 30, the three suspects' age ranges, and the cash and vehicle seizures in Rathkeale on 1 September 2025.

    victim, 40s, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male
  7. 4 Sep2025
    Luxury jeep and ‘significant’ quantity of cash seized by Limerick gardai investigating shooting

    Reports searches under warrant at up to six Rathkeale properties on 1 September 2025, with cash and four vehicles seized, including a luxury Mercedes jeep. The article does not mention arrests.

    victim, male
  8. 29 Aug2025
    Limerick shooting victim remains in hospital over a week after gun attack

    Followup confirming the victim is still in hospital over a week after the shooting; provides details on the rural location ('Stoney man'), a specific appeal for dash-cam footage between 6:15pm and 7:30pm, and confirmation the incident is not connected to a pub attack on 10 August.

    victim, 40s, male
  9. 22 Aug2025
    Gardai renew appeal for witnesses to shooting incident in County Limerick

    Gardaí renewed their witness appeal, specifying the time window (6:15pm–7:30pm) and area (Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale) for dash-cam footage, confirmed the scene is being preserved for technical examination, and provided contact details for Newcastle West Garda Station and the Garda Confidential Line.

    victim, 40s, male
  10. 22 Aug2025
    Gardaí appeal for witnesses after man shot and car rammed in County Limerick

    Adds details about the car being rammed and found burned out, the specific location known as the 'Stoneyman' on the Rathkeale to Askeaton road, gunshot wounds to the chest and hip, and the planned forensic examination of the burned car.

    victim, 40s, male
  11. 22 Aug2025
    Man hospitalised after shooting and car ramming in Limerick

    Initial report of the incident; adds details about the car being rammed, the burnt-out car to be forensically examined, and the specific location known as the 'Stoneyman' on the Rathkeale to Askeaton road.

    victim, male
  12. 22 Aug2025
    Man (40s) hospitalised after shooting in Co Limerick

    Initial report of the shooting and car ramming; Gardaí appealing for witnesses and camera footage from the Kilcoole and greater Rathkeale areas.

    victim, 40s, male
  13. 21 Aug2025
    Gardai appeal for witnesses after ‘violent incident’ in County Limerick

    Initial report published the evening of the incident. Adds details that the man was shot in the hip area, a vehicle was rammed, a car was later found burnt out, and the specific time window (6.15pm–7.30pm) for dash-cam footage.

    victim, 40s, male
  14. 21 Aug2025
    BREAKING: Shooting incident in County Limerick

    Initial breaking news report of the shooting; confirms the victim was transported to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance rather than air ambulance, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and that a vehicle was reportedly rammed.

    victim, male