GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING a motive for an arson attack and damage caused to a house in Co Limerick this morning.

The violent attack in Castleconnell, carried out by four masked males, armed with hatchets and accelerants, occurred around 1.30am this morning.

CCTV footage shared on social media showed that as one of the males entered the curtilage of the property with a hatchet, two of the perpetrators smashed up a car parked outside the house, and the fourth male set the vehicle on fire.

The men then fled in a black coloured car as the occupants of the house emerged from the property.

Still image from CCTV footage shared on social media

A female voice can be heard on the footage as the men are carrying out the attack, shouting “what are ye doing…scumbags…fucking scumbag ya, you’re fucking dead”.

A male voice is then heard on the recording asking for someone to “ring the fire brigade, Jesus, quick, ring the guards”.

The masked gang’s getaway car was driven by a fifth man.

A garda spokesperson said it received a report of an incident of criminal damage at around 1.30am and that a vehicle and a domestic residence have been reported as damaged.

The garda spokesperson said no injuries have been reported at this time and that investigations are ongoing.