Armed detectives patrol flashpoints in city as reprisals feared

FEARS of bloody reprisal attacks in Limerick are rising after the killing of leading criminal Kieran Keane this week.

Armed detectives are patrolling flashpoints in an effort to keep the peace as the city’s public pray that no more blood will be spilled.

The execution-style shooting of Keane, aged 36, on Wednesday night, and the brutal stabbing of his nephew Owen Treacy, 30, has heightened fears of further attacks this weekend.

Mr Treacy is still in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed seven times in the upper body.

Mayor John Cronin has appealed to feuding gangs to end the bitterness sparked by the abduction of brothers Kieran, aged 19 and Eddie Ryan, aged 20. The two mysteriously turned up unharmed at Portlaoise Garda Station on Thursday morning.

“I am calling on all the families to stop this feud. I am delighted to have the boys back but I feel very sad about what is after happening.

“This thing has got to stop. People are very nervous in Limerick with all of the fighting and I would do anything to bring this to an end,” he said.

The mayor said family feuds and crime wars must be curbed immediately. “All we can do is appeal to those within these groups to stop this, because they are going nowhere really. I hope they will listen ,” he said.

Independent Councillor John Gilligan who lives in the King’s Island area said that only a minority of people are behind the violent attacks.

“Crime is not endemic here, it’s a small group that’s causing all the trouble, but people now want answers.

“We are all very tense, apprehensive and distressed. If we don’t find out who kidnapped the Ryans and killed Kieran Keane, the tensions will live on. The heat won’t die down,” Cllr Gilligan said.

The councillor who also ran in the last general election said talk about armed gardaí patrolling estates was exaggerated.

“We’re hearing so much about gardaí with guns but their presence has been very low profile.

“We don’t need armed officers anyway. That would not give a true reflection of the city. We need them to give us answers,” he said.

Limerick Chamber of Commerce is hoping that the latest wave of violence won’t negatively affect businesses in the city, especially tourism.

“We hope it won’t have an adverse effect. So many good things have happened here in the last two years and this is just a temporary blip,” chamber boss Tom McInerney said.

The chamber also wants an assistant garda commissioner, extra gardaí and CCTV security cameras for the city.

Chief Supt Gerry Kelly this week said he fears reprisals because there are a small number of ruthless criminals in Limerick.

“One would have to be fearful of reprisals. The people involved are driven by a form of madness, a deep hatred,” he said.

“This is what makes it so regrettable, it affects the reputation of Limerick. It goes against the wishes of the people of Limerick,” he said.