Teenager linked to three killings remains at large

LIMERICK gardaí believe a violent teenager, still at large, was involved in three murders in the city.

While two men are in custody, charged separately with the murder of rugby player Shane Geoghegan and businessman Roy Collins, gardaí suspect a highly dangerous teenage member of the McCarthy Dundon gang was heavily involved in the planning of both murders.

The suspect, aged 18, left Limerick for Britain with another gang member, after the murder of Shane Geoghegan last November.

He returned to Limerick earlier this year and gardaí now believe he had a major part in setting up the murder of Roy Collins as a reprisal for the jailing of gang leader, Wayne Dundon, 26, who got 10 years at Limerick Circuit Court on evidence given by Roy Collins’ cousin, Ryan Lee.

The 18-year-old suspect was arrested after the Roy Collins murder but it is believed he stonewalled gardaí during lengthy interviews while in custody. He was released without charge.

The suspect is regarded as “family” by the Dundon brothers.

Gardaí also suspect he was involved in the murder of fellow gang member, James Cronin, in April 2008, fearing the victim would crack and grass on gang members if arrested and questioned.

The late Mr Cronin is believed to have been involved in the murder of Mark Moloney in Garryowen.

James Cronin, 20, was shot dead in April 2008 and buried in a shallow grave near Ballinacurra Weston.

The previous Saturday, Mark Moloney, 40 was shot dead as he walked near his home in Garryowen. Two men pulled up alongside him and one opened fire.

Roy Collins, 35, was shot in the family owned pub/arcade in the Roxboro Shopping Centre shortly after midday on April 9.

Shane Geoghegan, 28, was shot dead near his home at Kilteagh, Dooradoyle in November 9 last after he was mistaken for a drug dealer who moved into the area and who had been shot at previously by the McCarthy Dundon gang.

Of the 18 murders in the city since the killing of Eddie Ryan, aged 40, in November 2000, members of the McCarthy Dundon gang are suspected of involvement in at least 11 and probably more.