Gardaí know identity of killer gunman

GARDAÍ revealed yesterday they are satisfied as to the identity of the gunman that killed Gary Grant in Limerick last week.

Supt John Kerin, who heads the investigation, said yesterday it was a matter of gathering sufficient evidence to bring a charge.

Supt Kerin made the disclosure when addressing a meeting of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee.

Meanwhile, the priest who officiated at Mr Grant’s funeral yesterday said young men are losing their lives in Limerick due to greed arising from the sale of drugs.

Mr Grant, 25, died from a single bullet wound to the upper body.

Fr Donough O’Malley, PP, speaking at theRequiem Mass in St Mary’s Parish Church, appealed to young men to turn away from violence.

He said: “Seek life, seek love. Follow Jesus and you will live life to the full. You can do it with God’s help. Ask for it, please.”

Mr Grant was gunned down moments after he left his home in St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, at about 10.15pm on Monday last.

A lone gunman was seen running from the scene.

Two armed detectives, who were on patrol on the street at the time, tried unsuccessfully to revive him.

Fr O’Malley said yesterday: “This parish suffers the loss of life of loved young men due to the greed for money from the sale of drugs. Drugs foolishly taken also cause death.

“Now there is a void and a hunger in life that needs to be filled. This is not the way to go. Choose peace. You are all devastated with grief but you must have the guts to choose the right way and the courage to make the effort.”

The parish priest said the way forward would undoubtedly be difficult.

“But if you try to walk the right path, you will succeed,” he insisted.

Fr O’Malley said he had known the dead man’s mother’s family for more than 25 years.

“Gary was the fourth generation I have known. They were God-fearing decent people with family links stretching to Kilmallock and Doneraile.”

The murdered man is survived by his partner Claire, three young children Rebecca, Gareth and Taylor and his parents Ben and Gabrielle.

As part of the murder investigation, a man aged 20 and an elderly couple were held for questioning before being released.

One theory is that a local gang in St Mary’s Parkordered the shooting after a gun, loaned to a person, was confiscated when gardaí stopped and searched a car.

Mr Grant had been in the car at the time, although another person in the vehicle had been charged in connection with possession of the gun.