GAA community in shock as father of Limerick senior hurler stabbed at his home

Niall Byrnes, father of Limerick senior hurler Diarmaid Byrnes, was rushed to hospital from his home, where his condition is understood to be stable

Diarmaid Byrnes playing for Limerick. His father, Niall, was taken to hospital following a stabbing in Patrickswell. File picture: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

The GAA community and village of Patrickswell in Co Limerick were in shock after the father of Limerick senior hurler Diarmaid Byrnes was stabbed several times at his home.

Niall Byrnes, who is in his 60s, was rushed by ambulance from his home in Lisheen Park, Patrickswell, to University Hospital Limerick following the attack.

Mr Byrnes sustained serious injuries in the assault on the evening of September 11, but his condition on Sunday was understood to have stabilised.

"Everyone in the locality and in the local GAA scene is shocked, it was out of the blue, Niall is a quiet fella who keeps to himself," said a source.

A Garda spokesman said: "Gardaí are investigating an incident of assault at a residential premises in Patrickswell, Limerick last Thursday evening, 11th September 2025.

"A man aged in his 60s, was taken to University Hospital Limerick to be treated for injuries. Enquiries are ongoing.” 

Gardaí have remained tight-lipped about a possible motive for the attack. Sources said investigating officers were examining a number of lines of enquiry as to what exactly led to Mr Byrnes being seriously wounded.

Mr Byrnes' son Diarmaid, 31, is a five-time All-Ireland winning hurler with the Limerick senior hurling team and recently celebrated his marriage to school teacher, Elaine Kennedy, a native of Newcastle West.

He was named Hurler of the Year in 2022 and has won four All-Star awards.