City tense as search for Ryans continues

TENSIONS were mounting in Limerick last night following violent scenes outside the city's circuit court as the search for two brothers who were abducted at gunpoint continues.

The massive hunt for Eddie Ryan, 20, and Kieran Ryan, 19, has now entered its fifth day. Gardaí believe the abduction was linked to the gangland shooting of their father, Eddie Ryan Snr, two years ago and a subsequent feud.

The distraught mother of the two brothers, Mary Ryan, said at the weekend she feared her sons were dead.

Since the murder of Eddie Ryan Snr, a bitter feud between a number of Limerick families has escalated dramatically, with more than 40 incidents investigated by gardaí.

Yesterday, factions involved with both sides in the dispute became embroiled in violent scuffles outside the court.

Gardaí quickly brought it under control and seven men were arrested and detained at Henry Street garda station.

There were also unconfirmed reports last night that a 15-year-old cousin of the abducted brothers was attacked by another pupil at her school.

Meanwhile, more than 100 soldiers were involved in the search with gardaí yesterday and extra troops from Clonmel were drafted in to help their colleagues from Limerick's Sarsfield barracks.

The search was being concentrated on a remote area near Cratloe Woods in Co Clare, about seven miles from Ballynanty where the boys were abducted on Thursday night.

Gardaí believe the area may have been an exit route for the kidnappers but the heavily wooded terrain and wet and misty weather yesterday made search conditions difficult.

As tensions between the feuding factions rose, gardaí were on high alert for further trouble, but had not ruled out the possibility of finding the missing brothers alive.

Superintendent Willie Keane who is heading the investigation said every available resource was being directed towards the massive search.

"Obviously our concern for the missing people grows with each passing day but we have to hold out hope of finding them alive," he said.

To date, there has been no contact from the gang who abducted the Ryan brothers despite appeals from the Ryan family, the Bishop of Limerick Dr Donal Murray, and Junior Minister Willie O'Dea.

Controversial former Limerick Alderman Michael Kelly became the latest to lend support to appeals for information on the boys whereabouts last night.

The former criminal said the Ryan family had suffered enough and he appealed to the kidnappers to bring an end to the painful saga.