Arrest made after street brawl which left peacemaker fighting for his life

A MAN in his 20s has been arrested in connection with an incident in Limerick city that has left another man fighting for his life after he received serious head injuries when struck with an iron bar.

Gardaí believe that Eddie Carey, who is in his early 40s, tried to act as a peacemaker in when a group of about eight men engaged in a serious fight outside a pub in Mungret Street at about midnight on Sunday.

Mr Carey, who lives in the area, was returning home when he got caught up in the fight.

The man who was arrested was last night being held in Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick under Section 4 of the Offences Against the State Act.

A garda spokesman said: “There was a verbal altercation in a premises and this moved out on to the street where it developed into a very serious row.

“It would appear the injured man was passing and tried to go between the parties who were fighting. He was struck with an blunt instrument.”

Mr Carey was rushed to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, and yesterday afternoon he was transferred to Cork University Hospital with serious head injuries.

Three other men were also brought to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital with injuries resulting from the fight.

A large area of Mungret Street was cordoned off yesterday as gardaí carried out a forensic examination.

Gardaí were also accessing CCTV from various cameras in the area and carrying out door-to-door inquiries.

It is believed that two groups who were drinking in a local pub got into an argument and those involved then went out on to the street where what gardaí describe as very serious assaults were carried out.

Some of those involved armed themselves with such implements as iron bars and a baseball bat.