A major figure connected with a feud of Limerick drugs gangs has survived a further attempt on his life, it emerged yesterday.

A female prison officer was recovering from shock yesterday after a pipebomb attack on her car at the weekend — the second such incident in a fortnight.

A Limerick couple escaped injury when the front of their house was raked with automatic gunfire in a drugs related attack.

The rate of government spend on the State’s witness protection programme last year increased to €1.21m —double the spend of the preceding two years.

A woman going shopping last night spotted what turned out to be a pipebomb attached to her family car in Limerick in what is believed to be an escalation of a drugs feud.

Feared criminal Ger Dundon, who had a secret meeting at Shannon Airport in recent days with the man regarded as the head of the McCarthy-Dundon gang, was yesterday spotted at a funeral home in Limerick.

Gardaí fear further bloodshed following the shooting dead of a well-known criminal who provided protection for former crime boss John Gilligan since his release from prison.

Armed gardaí took up positions outside the home of super-witness April Collins as her former partner Ger Dundon was expected back in Limerick last night after his release from Wheatfield Prison on Saturday.

Limerick criminal Ger Dundon is a free man after he was released early from his five-year prison term.

LIAM KEANE’S two-fingered insult to the nation almost 10 years ago was one of those landmark moments in Irish crime.

MERCHANT’S QUAY in Limerick was bristling with armed gardaí, TV cameras, photographers, journalists, and curious onlookers.

Two men were in custody last night after Limerick gardaí seized a large haul of cocaine, a handgun, and a significant stash of ammunition and cash.

The low-profile former Mr Big of the McCarthy-Dundon gang, who was responsible for one of its most notorious murders, now runs a drugs operation in Limerick and Cork with a well-known former businessman, it has emerged.

Convicted drug boss Johnny McNamara, the target for the attack which led to the murder of Shane Geoghegan, lived at No 6 Clonmore, Kilteragh, just doors from where Shane shared a house with his partner, Jenna Barry.

Evidence entered at the John Dundon trial which has amazed many related to a meeting in Cruises St on Oct 29, 2008.

The mother of a man who died in a notorious gang murder four years ago was found dead in tragic circumstances, an inquest has heard.

Two men linked to the notorious McCarthy-Dundon gang are to be charged with the murder of businessman Roy Collins tomorrow, it has emerged.

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.

Many leaders of a prolific crime scene have been jailed, writes Jimmy Woulfe

A Limerick man is due to be charged at the Special Criminal Court today with the murder of Shane Geoghegan, aged 28, who was gunned down near his home on Nov 9, 2008.

Contaminated heroin may have caused the deaths of twin brothers found dead yesterday in a rented Limerick apartment — and there are fears many more heroin users may have used a similar batch.

More than 100 Limerick gang members are in jail, including 20 gang leaders, the Government has said.

Criminal gangs are a “bigger threat” to the security of the state than the IRA or any other terrorist group ever were, a former Garda chief said yesterday.

Intimidation is a very powerful and secret weapon used by dangerous people.

Gardaí fear a notorious Limerick gang might head to Dublin and “set Tallaght on fire” in revenge for the murder of Melanie McCarthy, 16.

ONE of the biggest drugs criminals in Europe has moved to a Co Limerick village.

TWO leading members of one of the country’s most notorious criminal gangs are to appear in court today on charges related to threats to kill a 23-year-old woman.

The Special Criminal Court has heard that a Limerick man feared his life would become “hell” if he made a statement to gardaí alleging a threat made against the life of his father and sister.

A MAN and woman found dead in a house in Limerick’s Southill estate yesterday both died from shotgun wounds.

GARDAÍ in Limerick have increased armed patrols in the city after fears of a major escalation of gangland violence grew last night.

GARDAÍ are waiting to interview a Limerick criminal who was injured in the single car crash near Adare on Tuesday night which claimed the lives of two of his associates.

TOMORROW marks the 10th anniversary of the murder which led to an all-out war between two Limerick feuding gangs.

TWO Limerick brothers who were the alleged victims of a kidnapping in 2003 shortly before the murder of a city gang leader were yesterday jailed for a total of 14 years after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition earlier this year.

IN the last eight days, two men have been gunned down and two more have been left counting their lucky stars they are still alive.

A MURDER investigation was launched in Limerick last night after gardaí found the body of man reported missing in the city last Thursday.

TWO loaded rocket launchers have been seized from a major drug gang – an indication that the security threat posed by criminal gangs has risen to alarming new heights.

THE mayor of Limerick yesterday demanded that all social welfare payments to gang leader Wayne Dundon be stopped immediately after he splashed out thousands of euro on his daughter’s First Communion.

NINE Limerick men remained in custody last night after one of the biggest Garda operations ever mounted against organised crime in Ireland.

THE victim of yesterday’s tiger kidnapping joined a Limerick priest in railing against Ireland’s increasingly violent gun culture.

HUNDREDS of mourners last night attended the removal of the remains of murdered Limerick breadman Daniel Treacy to St Mary’s Church.

THE family of murdered Limerick man Shane Geoghegan were joined by members of his rugby club Garryowen and former school friends from Crescent College Comprehensive at his first anniversary Mass which was offered at Garryowen FC club house last night.

FIVE people arrested by gardaí in raids in Limerick on Tuesday had their periods of detention extended by a further 24 hours yesterday.

THE bravery of Limerick businessman Steve Collins and his family in standing up to the notorious McCarthy-Dundon gang was last night saluted by the mayor of Limerick at a reception in Mr Collins’s honour.

MEMBERS of the regional armed support unit rushed to Limerick Courthouse yesterday after violence flared when a notorious McCarthy-Dundon gang leader assaulted controversial criminal solicitor, John Devane, as he spoke with a client in the court corridor.