GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING a suspected drive-by shooting at a house at Rathkeale, Co Limerick, last night.

A number of shots were discharged from a firearm at a house located in the west Limerick town.

It is the latest in a string of violent incidents in the community.

Sources said a large garda presence was visible in the town all day Sunday and Monday to keep a lid on tensions.

Uniformed gardaí supported by members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit were conducting checkpoints in the town on Sunday prior to the gun attack.

The garda helicopter was also present in the town providing air support.

A garda spokesman said that gardaí are “investigating the discharge of a firearm in Rathkeale, Co Limerick” from yesterday at approximately 9:15pm.”

The garda spokesman said that “no injuries were reported” and that “a technical examination of the scene has been conducted by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit”.

“Investigations are ongoing,” they said.

Local gardai supported by armed detective units have been trying to keep a lid on tensions between rival feuding families.

Local Fine Gael Councillor Adam Teskey, a former chair of the local community joint policing committee, said he has been “repeatedly calling for extra garda resources” in the town to assist local gardaí.

Earlier this month, a search and arrest operation directed by local garda Superintendent Michael Fleming took place in Rathkeale as part of an investigation into money laundering.

Fleming said the focus of the operation was to target “the activities” of individuals involved in “serious criminality on a transnational basis”.

Approximately €400,000 in cash and bank accounts was seized at 11 locations in the town.

Gang members involved have been the focus of investigations into high level international organised crime, theft of rhino horns and it is also feared that they have been involved in people trafficking in the Mediterranean.

On November 30 this year, a house was shot up in the town when multiple shots were discharged from a firearm at the property, which was occupied by people including a child.

The shooting at New Road, Rathkeale, occurred around 5am that Sunday morning.

No injuries were reported at the time.

Last October, a van was petrol bombed in the town.

Vehicles have been rammed, houses burnt, and a man shot and seriously wounded as part of feuding in the town over the past twelve months.

With reporting by Niall O’Connor