Tributes paid to former Ireland underage soccer player killed in Limerick assault

A member of a garda forensic team checking the scene at Parnell St in Limerick where Alan Bourke was found. Mr Bourke later died in University Hospital Limerick. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Tributes have poured in for a former underage Republic of Ireland soccer player who gardaí said died after being assaulted in Limerick City.

The victim, named locally as Alan Bourke, 48, and originally from St Mary’s Park, Limerick, was found with serious injuries at Parnell St around 10.25pm last night.

Paramedics tried to keep the former talented sportsman alive at the scene but he was pronounced dead a short time later at University Hospital Limerick.

The street was cordoned off by gardaí throughout today to allow a scenes of crime unit carry out a forensic examination of the area.

Gardaí were harvesting CCTV footage from the street and local premises, and appealed for anyone who may have video footage or dashcam footage of the alleged assault to make it available to them.

Mr Bourke, who was a talented striker with Mungret Regional FC in the 1990s, was found seriously injured a short distance from a tool and equipment store where he had previously worked as a manager.

Limerick soccer correspondent Mike Aherne said there was widespread shock across the city’s district league soccer family: 

Alan was synonymous with the glory days of Mungret Regional and was regarded as one of the leading strikers in the league, culminating in being capped for the Republic of Ireland junior soccer team.

"Being capped for his country, even at junior soccer level, is a hugely prestigious honour. He was a cracking striker.

"He was the main man for Mungret Regional in the 1990s, a real class act, and it’s so sad what has happened,” he added.

Mr Bourke helped secure many great victories for Mungret Regional, including a Munster Junior Cup Final win in 1994. He received his Irish cap in 1996 after helping his club to a FAI junior cup final the same year.

Very sorry to hear of the tragic passing of Alan Bourke. Alan was a cracking striker with that famous Mungret Regional team under Pat Irwin. He was also capped at junior level by the Republic of Ireland. May he Rest in Peace

— Mike Aherne (@AherneMike95) April 16, 2022

Speaking on behalf of Mr Bourke’s former teammates and friends at Mungret Regional FC, club chairman Tony O’Byrne said: “Alan was definitely a huge part of the team back then, he would have had scored 20-plus goals a season, he wore the club’s number 9 shirt, he was a real goal poacher, and he was a really talented player for the club.

“Alan had exceptional talent, and he is a great loss to his football family, may he rest in peace,” Mr O’Byrne said.

Friends of Mr Bourke, who had spent time living in Cork, said he had “fallen on hard times” and had been quite “vulnerable” in recent years. One friend added: 

I’m in deep shock, Alan was a lovely guy, it’s a real shock this has happened. 

Gardaí said they were investigating all the circumstances surrounding the fatal assault and had contacted the services of the office of State Pathologist to conduct a postmortem.

“The scene is currently preserved to allow for a technical examination to take place. The Office of the state pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem will be conducted later today,” a garda spokesman said.

Appealing for information, the spokesman said: “Any person who was in the Parnell St, Lord Edward St, and Davis St areas of Limerick last night, between 10pm and 10.40pm, who may have camera footage of the area, is asked to make this available to gardaí. 

"Similarly, if any road user was travelling in the area and who may have camera (including dashcam) footage is asked to make this available to investigating gardaí.

"Any person with any information which may be relevant to the Garda investigation should contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214 340, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”