Revenge fears over murder
The body of Robert Fitzgerald, of 38, Cliona Park, was found at the back of College Avenue around 6.30am. A preliminary examination carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Marie Cassidy showed the man died from a single gunshot to the back of the head.
Mr Fitzgerald was a second cousin of Brian Fitzgerald, a night club security man who was murdered near his Corbally home on November 29 last. But gardaí do not believe the murders are connected.
The victim’s aunt, Catherine Fitzgerald, said: “We are all in shock. Robert was always in good form and always had a smile on his face.”
The killing comes after two other shooting incidents in which two men were injured in the Moyross area in the past five days.
Gardaí manpower is already stretched to the limit investigating other serious crimes, including the murder of crime boss, Kieran Keane as part of a feud in the northside as well as petrol bomb attacks in the southside.
“Life appears to be cheap in certain parts of Limerick. We have a serious problem in the city in relation to hard core violence,” said Garda Insp John Courtney of Henry Street Station yesterday.
“We are keeping an open mind on the motive for this attack and are investigating all aspects of Mr Fitzgerald’s murder,” said Insp Courtney.
“We can’t say for the moment if there is any link to the two shooting incidents in the past few days,” he said.
John Fitzgerald, an uncle of the deceased, said: “Robert’s death has come as a terrible shock, we are devastated.”
He said Robert went out for a few drinks on Monday night and did not come home. “We got the terrible news at 7am. Robert was on his own when he was attacked,” he said.
Mary Fitzgerald, sister-in-law of the deceased, said Robert would not hurt anybody. “He was an only child and was not part of any feud,” she said.
Mr Fitzgerald was reared by his grandmother, Mary Fitzgerald. His father, also Robert, is working in London as a labourer. He is on his way back home to Limerick today.
Garda are carrying out house-to- house enquiries. Insp Courtney said: “Early indications would suggest that this was not a random attack. We are particularly anxious to hear from anybody who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the Moyross area between 2am and 6am.”
Mr Fitzgerald was last seen at 3.30am. Gardaí stressed that the situation regarding the use of the Garda Emergency Response Unit was kept under review.
“The Moyross area is as well patrolled by local armed detectives on a continuous basis as any other area in the country,” said Insp Courtney.
A mother bringing her daughter to school in the area yesterday said: “I heard shots at 3am when I was in bed. At the time I did not realise what they were, but now I fear the worst.”
Mr Fitzgerald’s murder is the third in Limerick this year.
On January 29 Kieran Keane was murdered in an execution-style killing. He was shot in the head. His body was dumped on a roadside at Drombana on the outskirts of the city.
His nephew Owen Treacy survived multiple stab wounds in the same incident. More than 30 people have been already questioned by gardaí in connection with the murder and the abduction of two brothers Kieran and Eddie Ryan who claim they were kidnapped at gunpoint on January 23.
Any information should be given to gardaí at Mayorstone Station (061-456982) or Henry Street Station (061-212400),” said Insp Courtney.
