Keane’s Bebo site updated with cell photos

ONE of the country’s most notorious criminals may face a fine of €10,000 and five extra years in prison after pictures showing him in his cell were taken on a mobile phone and used to update his Bebo page.

Liam Keane hit the headlines when he gave a two-fingered gesture after walking free from the Central Criminal Court in November 2003.

His trial for the murder of shop worker Eric Leamy collapsed after state witnesses refused to support statements when giving evidence.

The photos, which appear on the Bebo web page, are understood to have been taken on a mobile phone which was confiscated from Keane during a routine search of his cell in July. The Limerick criminal was using the phone to send the photos to his girlfriend who was using them to update and maintain his Bebo page. Following the search, Keane had the phone removed and privileges withdrawn.

If convicted of the offence Keane could face a maximum €10,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Keane, aged 23, is currently on remand in Limerick prison charged with possession of a Glock handgun and ammunition on May 4.

The web page has now been made private, only accessible by friends. It has been viewed 673 times.

Keane introduces the site: “wel the names liam if you no me leave a comment and share the love... if not get the f**k off my page”.

His father, Christy, who was jailed for 10 years when found carrying a large amount of drugs in St Mary’s Park is due out of prison next February.

An uncle, Kieran Keane, was murdered by the McCarthy-Dundon gang.

Chairman of the Limerick joint policing committee Cllr Kevin Kiely said: “It’s a complete joke. As far as I am concerned, when a person is in prison, he should not have privileges such as use of mobile phones.

“This Bebo use situation is crazy. A person communicating via the internet with people on the outside and boasting about it. It’s just another two fingers like before to the justice system,” said Mr Kiely.

“The Minister for Justice must now carry out an immediate investigation and a search carried out immediately to ensure that these phones are not available.

“It’s gone beyond a joke; the next thing, they’ll be bringing in pianos to the prison.”

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said the matter was under investigation.