The fight broke out at around 9.15am last Friday when parents were bringing their children to schools and child-minding facilities in Limerick.

One witness said it was like watching wrestling on television.

“It was surreal, completely unbelievable. They just went at each other. Biting, scratching, pulling hair, kicking, everything — you name it,” said eyewitness, who did not wish to be named.

As the brawl progressed on Monastery Rd, near Coonagh Court housing estate in Doon, the women were in a state of undress.

“It was in the middle of the street,” said the witness.

“They were down on the ground on top of each other, beating the heads off each other. The next thing the tops were pulled off each other and then a bra went flying through the air.

“You would think that this would have stopped them — but not a bit of it, they kept at it. It wasn’t a few slaps either, this was vicious stuff. There was blood on the ground.

“Remember now, this was at 9.15 in the morning at a time when mums and dads are bringing their little ones to school and child minders. It is hard to get your head around it. The incident lasted for a good few minutes, too.”

It is understood that the two women involved, both aged in their 30s, were friends but have had a serious falling out in recent times.

One is from the locality while the other is originally from Limerick City, but now living in Doon.

It is believed that the incident arose following a previous altercation between two males connected to the two parties.

“There were men there watching them among the crowd,” said the witness.

“I don’t know who they were but they were shouting and roaring. One guy was egging one on, shouting ‘Kill her! Kill her!’”

Gardaí have confirmed that a serious assault then took place involving two men.

A Garda spokesperson said: “A male was seriously assaulted during the altercation and taken by ambulance to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital. He was later discharged from hospital. Another male was arrested on Saturday morning and detained in Bruff Garda Station for questioning.

“He was released without charge and a file is being prepared for the DPP.”

Following Garda investigations, two women were arrested in Doon on Monday. They were released without charge, with a file to be sent to the DPP.

Normally a tranquil village, the incident brought back memories of 2009 when a teenage schoolgirl was stabbed in the lower back during an assault by three pyjama-wearing female attackers.