Gardai investigate Limerick petrol attack

Gardai in Limerick are investigating an attack on a senior officer with the Mid-Western Regional Health Board last night.

Details of the incident are unclear, but 51-year-old Tom Hourigan was apparently doused with petrol by a masked attacker outside his home in Raheen and set alight.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the attack, which happened in the Meadowvale area at around 9pm.

The victim suffered burns to his face and hands and underwent surgery in hospital in Cork, where his condition is described as critical but stable.

Gardai said his injuries are not life-threatening and have ruled out any connection with on-going feuding between two family-based criminal gangs in Limerick.

Local Fianna Fail TD Peter Power described the attack as cowardly and urged anyone with information to come forward.