Gardaí make progress in probe into man’s death

AS the funeral takes place today of a Limerick man who died in sinister circumstances, gardaí are believed to have made significant progress in the investigation into the disappearance and death of Francis Greene.

His remains were found washed up on the shore of the River Shannon at Portrine, Cratloe on Friday.

A postmortem exam by assistant State pathologist, Dr Khalid Jabbar, was inconclusive and gardaí are awaiting the results of further tests.

Mr Greene was forced at knifepoint from his basement flat in Harstonge Street, near the city centre on Saturday, November 28 at about 8pm.

A man from the city, aged 27, has been arrested and questioned and released without charge.

The disappearance of Mr Greene has no gang involvement.

CCTV cameras had picked up him up walking towards the Shannon Bridge area.

Mr Greene, who would have been 49 next Thursday, was from Kilteely, Co Limerick and had been living in the city for some time.

Gardaí are understood to have gathered a substantial amount of information which they are confident will lead to an early development in the investigation.

Supt Frank O’Brien yesterday appealed to people who were in the Harstonge Street junction with Henry Street anytime between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on November 28 or Mount Kennet, Dock Road at that time to contact them.

Mr Greene was last seen in an area close to the river near the skate boarding park adjacent to Shannon Bridge.

Supt O’Brien said: “The late Francis Greene was wearing a blue tracksuit top, blue jeans and white runners. He had a tight hair style. We would like to hear from anybody with information (061 212400) and we know people have information.”

Mr Greene, who was single, lived alone.

Supt O’Brien said: “He was a man who was very well regarded by those living in the area and was a person who came from a very fine family.”