THE GAA COMMUNITY and village of Patrickswell in County Limerick were in shock after the father of Limerick senior hurling star, Diarmuid Byrnes, was stabbed several times at his home.

Niall Byrnes, aged in his 60s, was rushed by ambulance from his home at Lisheen Park, Patrickswell, to University Hospital Limerick following the attack.

Mr Byrnes sustained serious injuries in the assault on Thursday night, 11 September, but his condition this Sunday is understood to have stabilised.

“Everyone in the locality and in the local GAA scene is shocked, it was out of the blue, Niall is a quiet fella who keeps to himself,” said a source.

“Niall is also great supporter of Diarmuid and the rest of the Limerick team, he is a regular at their matches, and whatever has gone on, he didn’t deserve that,” they added.

A Garda spokesman said: “Gardaí are investigating an incident of assault at a residential premises in Patrickswell, Limerick last Thursday evening, 11th September 2025.”

“A man aged in his 60s, was taken to University Hospital Limerick to be treated for injuries.”

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Gardaí have remained tight lipped about a possible motive for the attack.

Sources said investigating officers were examining a number of lines of enquiry as to what exactly led to Mr Byrnes’s being seriously wounded.

“It’s been a joyous time for Diarmuid lately with him getting married to Elaine (Kennedy), and for this to happen to Diarmuid’s dad has brought a lot of shock and sadness,” a source said.

Diarmuid, a five-time All-Ireland winning hurler with the Limerick senior hurling team, recently celebrated his marriage to school teacher, Elaine Kennedy, a native of Newcastle West.

The couple tied the knot at St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, Co Kerry, last month, and afterwards they partied the night away with family, friends and some of Diarmuid’s fellow Limerick hurling stars, at the luxurious five-star Dunloe Hotel and Gardens.

The 2022 Hurler of the Year is expected to remain on with the Limerick senior hurling squad into the 2026 senior hurling championship, as the Shannonsiders aim to win their 7th Munster title in eight years and sixth All Ireland in nine years.