Limerick gardai are investigating the desecration of the grave of murdered garda detective, Jerry McCabe. It is the second time the plot has been vandalised.
Described by gardai as a sickening attack, the grave was believed to have been vandalised with a hammer. A photograph of Garda McCabe on the headstone was also smashed.
Following the attack last week, the Limerick Leader received two phonecalls on Friday from someone who claimed that if the headstone is put back up it will be destroyed next time.
The caller, who was not clearly identified as male or female, said: "Tell the pigs in blue that next time we go near the grave we will knock it."
Chief Supt Michael Fitzgerald, of Henry Street, yesterday appealed for information and said the Garda would be investigating the matter thoroughly.
The grave was vandalised last January when the headstone was damaged. Three men were later imprisoned.
Det Garda McCabe was shot dead by a gang which was attempting to raid a post office in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996. His colleague, Det Garda Ben O'Sullivan, received serious injuries. A man has been charged with the murder.