'Bloodbath' as two men hospitalised with slash injuries in aggravated burglaries in Limerick

ARMED and masked assailants smashed their way into two houses in County Limerick on Easter Sunday, attacked two men who had to be hospitalised, and left scenes which have been described as a “bloodbath”.

A video has emerged on social media of the aftermath in one of the houses which shows a blood-spattered wall and more blood on a window sill, which dripped down a radiator and pooled on the carpet.

The two victims, who both suffered laceration wounds from sharp-edged implements, are understood to be receiving treatment in the same ward in University Hospital Limerick for their injuries.

The first aggravated burglary occurred in Kilteely at around 3am on the morning of Easter Sunday. 

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A garda spokesperson said: “A number of men, armed with weapons, entered the home of the injured party, a man in his 30s who was injured during the incident.  

“He was removed from the scene by ambulance where he is being treated at hospital for his injuries.”

It is understood four men broke into the house, which is believed to have been targeted by the criminals, and attacked the man who received a laceration to his leg. A number of items were stolen including  jewellery and keys to a car which was driven off by one of the perpetrators.

Some three hours later,  four assailants smashed their way into a house in a housing estate in Kilfinane around 6am. 

According to local sources, they “hit the wrong house” and the victim who was subsequently injured was not their intended target.

“I don’t know who they were looking for but it wasn’t him. It was the wrong person in the wrong house,” they told the Limerick Leader.

A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred at Kilfinane, County Limerick in the early hours of Sunday morning, April 20.

“A number of men, armed with weapons, entered a residential property.  A man, aged in his 50s, was injured during the incident.  He was removed from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he is being treated for his injuries.”

A video of the aftermath of the Kilfinane aggravated burglary shows the blood-spatter from slash wounds on a wall. 

One local said it is “like a horror movie”.

“It is pure evil. The poor man, at home at 6am and next thing he is being attacked  in a case of mistaken identity,” they said.

The Leader has learned a car was later discovered burned out on the outskirts of Hospital village.

Gardai have launched a major investigation. They appealed to anybody who may have been in the Kilteely or Kilfinane areas between 2am and 7am on Easter Sunday morning and witnessed any suspicious behaviour to contact Bruff garda station on 061 382940.