‘Kidnapped’ brothers jailed for firearms offences

TWO Limerick brothers who were the alleged victims of a kidnapping in 2003 shortly before the murder of a city gang leader were yesterday jailed for a total of 14 years after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition earlier this year.

Kieran Ryan, 26, of Craeval Park, Moyross, was given an eight-year sentence at Limerick Circuit Court for suspicious possession of the Browning semi-automatic pistol and 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition at Carrigmartin, Ballyneety, on May 26. His 27-year-old brother Eddie Ryan, of College Avenue, Moyross, was given a six-year sentence.

The court heard that Kieran Ryan drove his Toyota Avensis to Ballyneety, six miles from Limerick, to pick up the firearm which had been placed in a field.