Gardaí are appealing for information following a brutal assault in County Tipperary that has left a young mother in critical condition. Scarlett Faulkner, a woman in her 20s, sustained serious head injuries in the attack, which occurred at a roadside near Birdhill village on Saturday evening. She is currently receiving treatment at Cork University Hospital after initially being airlifted to University Hospital Limerick.
The incident, which has shocked the local community, involved a number of individuals allegedly armed with weapons, including what appeared to be a hatchet and a sword, attacking two women. Faulkner, a member of a Traveller community from Limerick city, was one of the victims. The attack has prompted widespread concern and a Garda investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
Details of the Assault and Garda Investigation
According to Gardaí, the assault took place at approximately 5:30 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Video footage of the attack has been circulating on social media, prompting authorities to urge the public not to share the content further but to instead submit it to investigators. The footage reportedly shows a group of men and women attacking two women at the roadside.
Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins described the incident as “truly shocking” and expressed the concern felt throughout the country. “It’s truly concerning and people are asking the question, what happened here,” Collins told RTÉ News. “How could such a brutal incident happen on a public road in the middle of the day?” He appealed to anyone with information to contact the Gardaí.
Vehicles of Interest and Public Appeal
The Garda investigation is focusing on identifying the occupants and movements of two vehicles believed to have been involved in the assault. Authorities are seeking information regarding a grey 162 Ford Transit van and a blue 161 Volkswagen Touran people carrier. Gardaí are specifically interested in their movements between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in and around Birdhill village and the surrounding townlands of Cooleen, Crag Cross, Shower Cross, Kylebeg, Annaholty, and Thornhill in County Tipperary.
Investigators are exploring several theories regarding the events leading up to the attack, including the possibility that the vehicle Faulkner was travelling in was deliberately rammed by another vehicle, leading to the roadside assault. Gardaí closed off the R494 road at Birdhill on Sunday to conduct a forensic examination of the scene.
Family’s Plea and How to Provide Information
Members of Faulkner’s family have taken to social media to share updates and ask for prayers for her recovery. The severity of her injuries has prompted an outpouring of support from the community.
Anyone with information relating to the assault, or the movements of the vehicles in question, is urged to contact Nenagh Garda station at (067) 50450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Gardaí are also requesting that anyone with video footage of the incident submit it directly to investigators rather than sharing it on social media platforms.
The investigation remains ongoing as Gardaí work to piece together the events of Saturday evening and bring those responsible for this violent attack to justice. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact the Gardaí. Your contribution could be vital to this investigation. Please share this article to help spread awareness and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
