Widow of crime boss survives gun attack

THE widow of murdered Limerick crime boss Kieran Keane survived a gun attack late on Monday night, it emerged yesterday.

Sophie Keane was at her home in the Garryowen area with her 17-year-old son when shots were fired in through a front window.

Up to four bullets were discharged in the attack which happened at about 11.30pm.

Ms Keane’s husband, Kieran, was abducted and murdered in January 2003.

A relative, Owen Treacy, survived 17 stab wounds and his evidence led to five men getting life sentences for Keane’s murder.

Keane and Owen Treacy were lured into a trap and brought to a country road at Drombana outside the city where Kieran Keane was shot in the head.

When the gun jammed, Owen Treacy was repeatedly stabbed and left for dead.

Kieran Keane was one of two gunmen involved in the murder of rival crime boss, Eddie Ryan at the Moose bar in November 2000.

A number of attacks have been carried out on the home of Sophie Keane.

One of her sons narrowly escaped a murder attempt when he was shot at on his way to a local shop.

Meanwhile, a number of people are due in Limerick District Court arising out of a disturbance when up to 50 people attacked gardaí in Ballinacurra Weston.

Bottles and stones were thrown at the gardaí and one garda was threatened by a youth aged 15 brandishing a knife.

None of the gardaí was injured and Supt Frank O’Brien said a number of people were arrested for public order offences and more serious charges will be considered as the incident has been referred to the DPP.

Also, visiting facilities for prisoners held at Henry Street garda headquarters in the city are being reviewed following the escape of a prisoner.

The teenager was arrested in connection with criminal damage to property.

He is known to the gardaí and is not considered a threat to the public.

A Corkman freed from Limerick prison for Christmas has not returned, the Irish Prison Service has confirmed.

Graham O’Mahony, aged 23, from Togher was serving a 12-month sentence for handling stolen property.

He was allowed out on temporary release on December 24 and was due back on December 28.

Of the 137 prisoners allowed out for Christmas, five failed to return.