Detectives shoot out car tyres after high-speed chase

TWO known sex offenders, one of whom was previously jailed for a serious sex attack, were in custody in Limerick last night following a shoot-out in which a Garda car was rammed.

Detectives intercepted the car with two males and two women in the Dooradoyle area of the city at about 4.30pm.

The gardaí tried to stop the vehicle by turning on their blue lights. A high-speed chase ensued through the southern suburbs of the city near the Midwest Regional Hospital and the Crescent Shopping Centre.

As the chase progressed, gardaí cornered the car after it drove down a cul-de-sac at Dooradoyle Road. As the officers blocked the vehicle, it attempted to make a return to the main road. The driver then rammed into the unmarked Garda car.

Members of the Special Branch had been alerted to the incident and as the fugitive car made an effort to get away, detectives fired three shots into the tyres of the vehicle.

The gardaí arrested two men who are known sex offenders, one from Dublin, the other from Limerick. Two women, both aged 19 years, were in the car when it was stopped. Both men were last night being detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

One man in his late 20s was being held in Henry St Garda Station and the other, who is in his mid-30s, was being held in Roxboro Garda Station.

Gardaí are satisfied that the women in the car were not there under duress and were known to the men.