Dozens of additional gardaí, including the Armed Support Unit, have been deployed to Rathkeale amid fears of violent reprisals over the death of a newlywed young mother in a hit-and-run incident.
A man in his 40s was arrested yesterday and continues to be questioned at a Garda station- in Co. Limerick. He is expected to be released or charged at some point today. A van believed to have been involved in the fatal collision was also recovered by gardaí.
Local politicians have appealed for calm amid rising tensions between Traveller families in the Co. Limerick town following the death of Marguerita Sheridan, 21, who had given birth to a boy just three weeks ago. She was killed on Saturday afternoon after a silver Ford Transit van struck her as she was standing by a large gate outside a house at Bank Place.
As Ms Sheridan lay dying, the driver of the vehicle fled the scene, failing to offer assistance or ring the emergency services.
Locals rushed to help her before she was transported to University Hospital Limerick. However, she was pronounced dead a short time later.
A source told the Irish Daily Mail that the house Ms Sheridan was standing outside was about to be targeted in an imminent
attack. They said: ‘Gardaí are inquiring whether she was struck deliberately as part of a local feud, but it could be likely that she was accidentally hit as she was standing directly behind the gates. It’s understood she was pinned against the wall by them.’
During the Christmas period, Rathkeale’s population doubles with an influx of Traveller families visiting their properties and
relatives, which often leads to tensions in the area. The town has seen numerous serious incidents involving attacks on properties in recent months, and there are growing concerns of further feud-related violence following the young woman’s death.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins has called for peace in the town as tributes poured in for Ms Sheridan. He said: ‘This was a
young woman who got married only a year ago, and had her first child only last month.
Marguerita had her whole life ahead of her and to die in this way is extremely tragic. So many people are genuinely sorrowful and concerned, which is why I would be calling for peace between both sides.
It puts Rathkeale in the news for all the wrong reasons yet again.’ He added: ‘I would appeal for calm to everybody. Tensions have
been heightened since this awful event on Saturday, there is no doubt about that.’
Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey has also appealed for calm. He told the Mail: ‘We are a town in official mourning.
‘The Sheridan family are very well respected in our community. As outgoing chairperson of the Joint Policing Authority, I’m
pleased to hear that the gardaí have made an arrest. ‘I am calling for calm as there are fears of reprisals.
He added: ‘We have to let the authorities carry out their investigation because they’re the ones whose role it is to make sure justice is upheld.’
Over the Christmas period each year, a dedicated policing operation is put in place in Rathkeale as the town’s population significantly increases.
A ‘day of action’ took place in the town last Thursday, December 19, with Limerick gardaí arresting 33 people during the
operation. Thirty of those arrested had outstanding bench warrants, while two were subject to ongoing criminal investigations and one was held for suspected road traffic offences.
Twelve multi-agency checkpoints were also conducted, resulting in one detection for driving under the influence of drugs, multiple searches under the Misuse of Drugs Act and one vehicle seizure under the Road Traffic Act. Speaking just two days before the death of Ms Sheridan, Superintendent Michael Flemming said: ‘Recidivist criminals and persons wanted on warrant were targeted, arrested and brought before the criminal courts.’
A Garda spokesman said they do not comment on operational matters, but it’s understood dozens of additional gardaí will be
assigned to Rathkeale following Saturday’s incident. Ms Sheridan’s heartbroken husband Dennis posted a recent image of Marguerita and his baby to social media, saying: ‘I love you my girl so much.’
Close friends and family members have expressed their shock, with a loved one writing: ‘Our hearts are shattered for you and your family. We’re holding you all close in our thoughts and prayers.’’
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
