Staring evil in the face and winning

Heavy weaponry and witness intimidation made Limerick’s gangs almost untouchable in the previous decade. Mid-West Correspondent Jimmy Woulfe speaks to the man who ended their reign of terror.

THE detective who has been to the fore in the fight against serious crime in Limerick for more than 30 years yesterday spoke of the days when feuding gangs were on the brink of taking over the city.

Detective Superintendent Jim Browne, speaking in an exclusive interview with the Irish Examiner, recalled the dark days of the early 2000s when Limerick gardaí faced “evil, volatile, and extremely dangerous” gang members who were intent on taking on the forces of law and order.