Steve Collins’ life ‘still at risk’, top detective warns

A senior detective involved in the Roy Collins murder investigation, warned yesterday that the life of his father, Steve Collins — the intended victim — remains under threat.

Sean Lynch, who spent 15 years of his 31 career as a garda in the detective branch in Limerick said the Dundon gang will continue to target Mr Collins from prison, unless their access to mobile phones is cut off. If Mr Collins snr was targeted, it would render this week’s verdict, which found Wayne Dundon, 36, of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick and Nathan Killeen, 24, of Hyde Road, Prospect, Limerick guilty of Mr Collins jnr’s murder, “useless”.

Wayne Dundon organised the murder of Roy Collins from prison, using mobile phones, his trial at the Special Criminal Court heard.

Mr Lynch, now a member of Limerick City and County Council said: “A very important aspect of the evidence at the Roy Collins trial was [that] this murder was organised and directed from prison with mobile phones. Something needs to be done to address this as a matter of urgency.

“They (Dundons) won’t stop in jail if given access and allowed continued use of mobile phones. Some prison officers know this, and for an easy life, are allowing them use mobile phones. That is fine, but when these people are taking lives, people like Steve Collins won’t be able to get on with their lives, even though these people are locked up. “Steve Collins is still under threat until the issue of mobile phones is addressed,” he warned.

Mr Lynch said prison officers develop a rapport with long-term prisoners.

He added: “Whoever brings in these phones, and I am not saying who, they are just as guilty as the person who pulls the trigger, as they act in concert with the gangs. If the use of mobile phones is not tackled, Steve Collins is at risk and there will be no change. This week’s verdict was very good and I am delighted these two guys have been put away. However, if they continue to have access to mobile phones, how good is the verdict?” Mr Lynch said mobile phones used in prisons can be successfully dealt with as there is a very good intelligence system operating in the prison service.

He said: “They know what’s going on and there will have to be continuous searches and these will have to be stepped up. What is happening with mobile phones has been going on for too long. If people’s lives are still in danger, these criminals should not have access to mobile phones.

“They pass phones around each landing in prisons. That is the way they get phones by controlling the landing. It gives them power and this must be taken from them.

“The verdict this week was fantastic, but it will be useless if serious measures are not taken immediately to deny serious criminals access to mobile phones.”