Home raided in murder bid probe

The home of a senior member of the McCarthy Dundon criminal network has been raided by gardaí as part of the investigation into the attempted murder of crime boss Christy Keane.

Gardaí swooped on the house on the south side of Limerick City in a planned raid on Thursday. A high-powered car was seized in the Garda raid. The man is one of the most senior members of the McCarthy/ Dundon/ Ryan gang.

The crime alliance has recently come together again after a previously split in the gang, in order to wipe out the Keanes and claim revenge for the murder of several of their gang members.

The man whose home was raided has close family ties with the Dundon gang. The 37-year old was previously convicted of possessing a machine gun and ammunition.

Another relative of the man is serving life in prison for a gangland murder.

The man was arrested in 2001 after allegedly making threats against innocent nightclub security man Brian Fitzgerald.

No charges were brought against him as the case fell through when Mr Fitzgerald was murdered by the Dundon gang in 2002.

Meanwhile, a man arrested last Monday is still being questioned by gardaí over the Keane shooting. The suspect, 37, has previous convictions for arson, theft, and attacking a garda.

A woman, aged in her 20s, who is closely linked to the male suspect who was arrested on Thursday also remains in custody. Keane, 54, remains in a serious but stable condition at University Hospital Limerick, after being shot four times last Monday on the grounds of the University of Limerick.

Keane was ambushed by two masked gunmen who fired 12 shots at him using automatic handguns.

Gardaí have again appealed for information about a red Ford Focus hatchback, with 132-D registration plates, a white V70 Volvo Estate, with yellow registration plates.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street garda station on 061 212400 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.