Siblings sentenced for brawl linked to violent Limerick city feud

A BROTHER and his sister have been sentenced for taking part in an eight-person brawl that took place at Hyde Avenue in Limerick city.

Published 13th Jun 2026, 10:00 BST The court heard that the violent feud has involved 26 incidents including the discharge of firearms, and over 70 incidents that have come to garda attention | Iconic A BROTHER and his sister have been sentenced for taking part in an eight-person brawl that took place at Hyde Avenue in Limerick city. Sign up to our Limerick Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Limerick Live within your account.

The incident required 11 patrol cars to break up the fight at Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, on January 13, 2025, and has led to seven people being charged before the courts.

The co-accused, Demi Higgins, 27, and Lee Higgins, 20, both with an address at the same residence at Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, took part in the violent disorder which involved at least eight people.

The siblings came before the court with no previous convictions.

The State’s case put forth in a sentencing hearing that “the offences arise in the context of a violent feud that has taken place over the past three years in the southside of the city”.

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The court heard that the violent feud has involved 26 incidents including the discharge of firearms, and over 70 incidents that have come to garda attention.

Judge Colin Daly said that while the siblings are not involved in the 74 incidents that gardaí have connected to the conflict, their offending “must be seen in the context of a violent feud in Ballinacurra Weston”.

Garda Eoin Cleary, of Roxboro Garda Station, told prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan that the ongoing dispute is between a family known to the gardaí and other persons.

Mr O’Sullivan said that the feud has involved a number of incidents, including three instances of explosives, threats to kill and criminal damage.

Footage of the incident played in court showed children walking home from school when the fight broke out at approximately 3pm in the day.

Mr O’Sullivan said Ms Higgins had an “industrial-type hammer” in hand while she was fighting on the road. Judge Daly said in his sentencing that Ms Higgins struck at least two persons with the large hammer.

A garda who was present at the scene detailed that he saw Mr Higgins violently assault a man.

Barrister Liam Carroll, representing Mr Higgins, stated that gardaí would be no strangers to the property they were initially called to, and that Ms Higgins had been harassed to some extent by the family associated with the address they were initially called to.

The barrister said that Mr Higgins was seriously outnumbered, and that over the course of the violent disorder, he was beaten by members of the family.

Mr Carroll said in mitigation that Mr Higgins was aware his sister was in difficulty, and was subsequently harassed and beaten.

Barrister Amy Nix, representing Ms Higgins, said that the area is an “extremely tough neighbourhood to grow up in”.

The barrister said the co-accused are “people that are strangers to criminality”.

Judge Daly, considering the sentence, said that Ms Higgins acted brazenly. The judge said the hammer used by Ms Higgins in the violent disorder was conveniently held in the back of her car.

Judge Daly said her previous good character, and Ms Higgins’ status as a mother and carer were mitigating factors in his sentencing.

Judge Daly proceeded to sentence Ms Higgins to 18 months’ imprisonment for violent disorder.

Considering Mr Higgins’ involvement, the judge said the seriousness of the offending requires a custodial sentence.

As a mitigating factor in his sentencing, Judge Daly noted Mr Higgins has a previous work history. The court heard the man previously worked as a plumber.

The judge commented that Mr Higgins “was travelling from his home when he became aware his sister was in difficulty”.

The judge sentenced Mr Higgins to a total of two years’ imprisonment for his part in the violent disorder.

A supporter in court cried as the siblings were taken into custody.

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