Residents flee home after criminal family launches gun attack

MEMBERS of a known violent criminal family suspected of being involved in the murder of Jeffrey Hannan, 19, last Thursday attacked a law-abiding family in Southill on Monday, forcing them to move out.

Members of the feared Limerick family fired shots into a house at 6.30am on Monday after the house owner prevented them carrying out a burglary hours earlier.

The family that was targeted is one of the most respected in Southill where they have lived for 34 years.

Fearing for their safety they moved out yesterday to an unknown address.

In the attack five shots were fired into the front of the house.

Some members of the criminal family were seen near a bonfire at 1.50am on Thursday morning when Jeffrey Hannan was last seen alive.

He died as a result of head wounds in what gardaí believe was a frenzied attack with a blunt object.

As his burial was taking place yesterday afternoon, a terrified neighbouring family was moving out of Southill.

Up to 50 gardaí including armed detectives yesterday descended on Southill when extensive searches were carried out of the entire area.

Supt Frank O’Brien who is leading the Jeffrey Hannan murder investigation said they have brought in specialist support units including members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Supt O’Brien said: “The search operation started at 8am and went on all day. A number of houses in Southill and Clonlong were searched. A lot of exhibits found have been sent for technical analysis to see if they are connected or not.”

He said they are investigating a burglary and a reported shooting incident at the same address later on Monday.

Supt O’Brien said: “This is under full investigation.”

Members of the crime family believed to have carried out Monday’s shooting have been linked to notorious violent crimes in Limerick in recent years.

Pubs in the city close their doors if they know members of the family are in the locality.

They were involved in a local feud in the Southill area earlier this year, which resulted in an outbreak of tit-for-tat shootings during which at least two people received gunshot wounds.

However, following a truce, hostilities ceased.

One source said: “Since they sorted out their difference, they have been moving around more easily and targeting law-abiding people.”

Members of the crime family were seen at the bonfire “can” party on Thursday morning shortly before Jeffrey Hannan was set upon and bludgeoned to death.