By David Raleigh

Shocking footage has emerged of a gang of youths attacking a firefighter who was responding to a bonfire in Limerick last night.

Six firefighters were attacked after they were dispatched around 8pm to a green in Garryowen when they suddenly came under attack from youths who fired missiles at them.

Around 15 youths converged on the green and fired rocks, planks of wood, shovels, and pool cues.

A large rock was also used to smash the front windscreen of a fire truck at the scene, situated close to Claughaun Court.

A number of the firefighters, attached to Limerick City & County Fire and Rescue Service, were injured in the attack, however they did not need hospital treatment.

Gardaí were deployed to the scene and are continuing to carry out enquires.

No arrests have yet been made.

Last January, Limerick firefighters were again attacked by another group of thugs, after been lured to a fire that was deliberately set at the base of a CCTV camera pole in St Mary’s Park.

When crews arrived at the fire they were pelted with roof slates, blocks, rocks, and bottles.

Following the incident Limerick TD and Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins, made renewed calls for more protection of emergency workers.

He said Fianna Fáil had produced ‘The Assault on Emergency Workers Bill’ three years ago, but that the acting government had left it to “languish on the Dáil Order Paper”.