Curate calls for violence to end

A CURATE in Limerick yesterday described as “sad” reports of young lads waving champagne bottles to celebrate the murder of 47-year-old John Ryan, the third victim of the ongoing feud in the city.

Fr Michael O’Shea, of St Lelia’s Parish, Ballynanty Beg, was commenting on garda reports that groups openly celebrated the news of the brutal killing on Monday night.

“It is sad that somebody would celebrate when another human being had lost his life. All life is sacred,” he said.

Fr O’Shea, who received the remains of the dead victim at the church last night, appealed for the violence to stop. “A man is dead and his family needs time to grieve and to get on with their lives. We don’t want more families to suffer in the same way,” he added.

Gardaí believe that the forensic examination of a red motorbike used in the killing may provide vital clues to the identity of the killers.

The father of six from Cliona Park, Moyross, was gunned down by a pillion passenger on a motorbike, who fired four shots from a handgun as Mr Ryan was building a patio outside a house in Canon Breen Park in Thomondgate at 6.30pm on Monday evening.

Gardaí found the motorbike behind a coal shed in the St Mary’s Park area.

A post mortem carried out on Mr Ryan’s body by the Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, revealed that the victim died from gunshot wounds to the abdomen, leg and shoulder.

Superintendent Willie Keane, of Henry Street Station, said that progress is being made in the investigation into the murder.

“We are particularly anxious to hear from anybody who may have seen a red motorbike and people acting suspiciously in the High Road area of Thomondgate on Monday. The two men on the bike were wearing helmets,” said Supt Keane.

Two men in their 20s who were initially held for questioning have been released without charge.

The killing is seen as a reprisal for the murder of Kieran Keane in January. Five men have been charged with Keane’s murder and the attempted murder of his nephew Owen Treacy.

In the past three years, gardaí have investigated about 100 incidents arising out of this vicious feud, including shootings, petrol bombings, stabbings and alleged abductions.