David Young talks to residents in Limerick estates partly demolished after essential funds failed to materialise, and to the Rengeneration agency, which is due to disband in June

MEMBERS of a specialist garda unit opened fire on a crazed drug addict in Limerick yesterday after he stole a car with a two-year-old child strapped into a baby seat.

THEY have worked in some of the poorest regions of the planet, and now a group of Franciscan friars will try and bring back a sense of hope and stability to one of Limerick’s most notorious crime black spots.

SIX people, including two women, were arrested in Limerick last night as part of a garda anti-feud operation.

The trial of five men charged with the murder of crime figure Kieran Keane - which has yet to hear any evidence - has already cost the taxpayer in the region of €200,000.