Armed unit will stay ‘as long as is necessary’

GARDA Commissioner Pat Byrne promised last night to keep armed officers on the streets of Limerick until there is peace.

He said the heavily armed garda Emergency Response Unit will stay in the city for “as long as is necessary”.

Mr Byrne was briefed by the city’s Chief Superintendent Gerry Kelly and Assistant Commissioner Adrian Culligan at Roxboro Garda Station yesterday evening.

Commissioner Byrne said he hadn’t received requests for further officers to be deployed in Limerick as fears of bloody reprisals grow.

“I think you can take it from my discussions with my officers here that they are quite satisfied with the resources presently available to them,” he said.

Commissioner Byrne said he’s hopeful the murder of Kieran Keane and the abduction of Ryan brothers Kieran and Eddie, will be investigated successfully.

“I’m very pleased with the progress that’s being made and I’m happy with the developments so far,” he said.

Referring specifically to the well- publicised abduction case he said: “You can take it that the investigation is progressing very satisfactorily.”

He said Limerick gardaí were also addressing concerns that several witness in criminal trials were being intimidated. “One instance of intimidation is one too many as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

Limerick State solicitor Michael Murray said at the weekend there is widespread intimidation of witnesses.

Commissioner Byrne said recent events in Limerick concerned him but he insisted people should not be afraid to walk the streets or invest in the city. There has been a murder, a brutal stabbing, an abduction and a petrol bomb attack on a house in Limerick during the last 10 days.

Commenting on the large amount of illegal arms in the possession of Limerick crime gangs, Commissioner Byrne said gardaí on the ground will continue to closely monitor the situation.

“We should be guided as to how things develop in the coming days and in the coming week,” he said.

“You’ve got to take into consideration the requirements of local officers in relation to particular investigations. I don’t think that my office can determine what is required locally.”