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. 8231Murder · Co. Limerick · 17 Mar 2026

Two men charged with murder of Liam Higgins in Limerick appear in court

Liam Higgins, a 55-year-old man from Mungret, County Limerick, was allegedly assaulted at Athlunkard Street in Limerick City on 17 March 2026 and died in hospital on 25 March 2026. Garda Amy McDonagh said in evidence that she arrested Darren Mason, aged 22, at a farm in Cappamore, County Limerick. Mason, aged 22, and Tyreke McNamara, aged 26, are charged with Mr Higgins's murder, and Brooklyn Treacy is charged with producing two articles over a dispute at Athlunkard Street. The three men appeared at Limerick District Court on 15 July 2026, where no pleas were indicated, and the DPP directed that Mason and McNamara be tried before the Central Criminal Court. On 19 August 2026 the three men, all on bail, appeared separately before Judge Catherine Ryan at a vacation sitting and were remanded on bail to Limerick District Court on 15 September.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged15 Jul
  4. In court15 Jul
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Liam Higgins died in hospital on 25 March 2026, eight days after he sustained serious head injuries in an alleged assault.
Where
The alleged assault took place at Athlunkard Street in Limerick City.
When
The alleged assault took place on 17 March 2026, St Patrick's Day.
Cause
It was alleged that Mr Higgins's head was stamped on during the assault.
Weapon
Mr Higgins was allegedly beaten with traffic cones.
Other details
Mr Higgins was of Mungret, County Limerick, and was a father of three.
Investigation
Garda Amy McDonagh said in evidence that she arrested Darren Mason at a farm in Cappamore, County Limerick, and that he replied 'This is not murder.'
Charges
  • Darren Mason, aged 22, and Tyreke McNamara, aged 26, are charged with the murder of Liam Higgins at Athlunkard Street on 17 March 2026.
  • Brooklyn Treacy is charged with producing two articles over a dispute at Athlunkard Street on 17 March 2026.
  • Three men were charged in connection with the alleged fatal assault, and a number of other people are already before the courts over the alleged assault.
In court
  • On 15 July 2026 the three men appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court, and none of them have indicated a plea.
  • The DPP has directed that Mason and McNamara be tried before the Central Criminal Court.
  • On 19 August 2026 the three men, all on bail, appeared separately before Judge Catherine Ryan at a vacation sitting of Limerick District Court.
  • All three men were remanded on bail and are due back at Limerick District Court on 15 September 2026.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLiam Higgins died in hospital on 25 March 2026 after sustaining serious injuries. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place at Athlunkard Street in Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe killing happened at Athlunkard Street in Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 17 March. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on St Patrick's Day 2026. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeIt was alleged that the victim's head was stamped on during the assault. (limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponThe victim was allegedly beaten with traffic cones. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationA garda said in evidence that she arrested Mason at a farm in Cappamore, County Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGarda Amy McDonagh said in evidence that Mason replied "This is not murder." when she arrested him at a farm in Cappamore, Co Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThree males were charged in connection with the alleged fatal assault. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeA number of other people are already before the courts charged in connection with the alleged assault. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeDarren Mason and Tyreke McNamara are charged with the murder of Liam Higgins. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeBrooklyn Treacy is charged with producing two articles over a dispute at Athlunkard Street. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeDarren Mason and Tyreke McNamara are charged with the murder of Liam Higgins at Athlunkard Street on 17 March 2026. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeBrooklyn Treacy is charged with producing two articles over a dispute at Athlunkard Street on 17 March. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe three men were due to appear in court in Limerick on the morning of 15 July. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe three men appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtDirections from the DPP mean Mason and McNamara are to be tried before the Central Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtNone of the three defendants have indicated a plea. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe three men, all on bail, appeared separately before Judge Catherine Ryan at a vacation sitting of Limerick District Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has directed that Mason and McNamara be tried before the Central Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtAll three men were remanded on bail and are due back at Limerick District Court on 15 September. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherLiam Higgins died in hospital eight days after the assault. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherMr Higgins was of Mungret, County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherLiam Higgins died in hospital on 25 March 2026. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Aug2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Two men charged with St Patricks Day murder come before Limerick Court

    Reports the court appearances of Darren Mason, Tyreke McNamara and Brooklyn Treacy, the DPP direction for a Central Criminal Court trial, the Garda evidence of Mason's arrest at a farm in Cappamore, and the next District Court date of 15 September.

    victim, Liam Higgins, 55, irish (judged from name)Liam Higginsaccused, Darren Mason, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Masonaccused, Tyreke McNamara, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tyreke McNamaraaccused, Brooklyn Treacy, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brooklyn Treacy
  2. 15 Jul2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, follow-up
    Two men charged with murder of Limerick father on St Patrick's Day

    Adds that the three men appeared at Limerick District Court, that Mason and McNamara are to be tried before the Central Criminal Court, that Treacy is charged with producing two articles, and that no pleas have been indicated.

    victim, Liam Higgins, 55, male, irish (judged from name)Liam Higginsaccused, Darren Mason, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Masonaccused, Tyreke McNamara, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tyreke McNamaraaccused, Brooklyn Treacy, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brooklyn Treacy
  3. 15 Jul2026
    Chargedlimerickpost.ie, follow-up
    Three to appear in court in connection with fatal assault of Limerick father

    Reports that three males were due in court on 15 July 2026, charged in connection with the case, and that a number of other people are already before the courts. Gives details of the victim and the alleged attack. Does not name the three men or give their ages.

    victim, Liam 'Gingee' Higgins, 55, male, irish (judged from name)Liam 'Gingee' Higginsaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, male