Search for brothers enters fourth day

Gardaí were today entering the fourth day of a search for two brothers, missing since being taken captive at gunpoint in Limerick.

So far officers have been hunting in and around the city for clues that would lead them to Eddie Ryan, 20, and his 19-year-old brother Kieran.

The pair were abducted on Thursday night and driven away in a car from a point near the centre of Limerick by masked gunmen. A shot was fired during the incident, and a friend of the two brothers narrowly escaped serious injury.

Gardaí believe the incident is connected to a long-running feud between two Limerick families.

The brothers’ father, also named Eddie, was shot dead in a Limerick bar two years ago, and last week Eddie, junior, appeared before court on an assault charge that was subsequently dropped.

On Friday night, Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray appealed for anyone with information about the men.

Dr Murray said the abduction, and other recent incidents in the city, showed the pointless cruelty of violence and intimidation.

The search operation so far has involved gardaí and Army and has covered a widespread area around the outskirts of Limerick.

There are growing fears that the abduction of the pair could spark further violence in the city.

Earlier, the men’s mother, Mary Ryan, who has been comforted at her home since her sons’ disappearance, yesterday appealed for their safe return, highlighting the devastating effect the affair was having on her.

“Just give them back,” she said. “They never done anything to anyone.”

Superintendent Willie Keane, who is heading the investigation, said officers were extremely concerned about the brothers.

“It is obviously a very serious situation,” he said. “These two young men have been missing since Thursday night, and I would appeal to anyone who would be holding them at the moment to release them unharmed.”

He confirmed that there had been no leads about the men’s disappearance so far, and added: “We are getting seriously concerned at this stage.”

He again asked for anybody with information on the incident to contact gardaí in Limerick, adding an appeal to landowners to check outbuildings and other parts of their property.