The jailing of almost 60 key figures in Limerick’s notorious gangs, coupled with in-fighting among active gang members, has led to a significant decrease in crime in the city, according to a senior garda.

Despite the deeply ominous appearance of masked and armed men in a funeral cortege on the streets of Dublin, with all that implies, there are welcome indications that An Garda Síochána are gaining the upper hand in the fight against organised crime.

SO-called peace talks involving Limerick’s main feud gangs resumed in secret on Thursday night at an office run by the agency brought in to regenerate crime-ridden council estates in the city.