Gardaí have met with Muslim leaders in Limerick as fears spread through the local migrant community following a number of suspected racially motivated attacks in the city.

Gardaí have confirmed that they are investigating a possible hate or racist motive behind an alleged assault on two Muslim men in Limerick.

Three men lay in wait for the pair behind a tree, before ambushing them as they walked down Henry Street towards the Al Furqan Mosque on Windmill Street, Limerick City Centre.

The Imam of a Limerick mosque has said he would, as a last resort, be prepared to physically tackle any terrorist using his religion to murder innocent people, if an attack were imminent.