Armed gardaí prevent clash outside feud home

Armed gardaí prevented a major clash outside the home of Owen Treacy early today.

Four members of a Ballinacurra Weston-based gang drove to Mr Treacy’s house in St Mary’s Park and were intercepted as they approached the Treacy home.

Gardaí believe two of the four men are related to some of the men convicted of the murder of Kieran Keane and the attempted murder of Owen Treacy.

Armed gardaí who were on patrol in the St Mary’s Park area arrested the four as they approached Mr Treacy’s home.

“They were acting in a very threatening and violent manner,” one source told the Evening Echo.

The incident happened at around 12.45am.

The four men arrested today drove to St Mary’s Park in one car. All four were due to be brought before a special sitting of Clonmel District Court this afternoon.

Gardaí have maintained a major security presence in St Mary’s Park and Mr Treacy was given round-the-clock armed protection after he survived the brutal attack which led to the murder of his friend and relative Kieran Keane.

It is understood that after the Kieran Keane murder trial, Mr Treacy was offered to be resettled abroad with a new identity for his own safety, but refused.

Gardaí uncovered a number of plots to murder Mr Treacy prior to the murder trial, to prevent him giving key evidence.

Previously hunting rifles fitted with telescopic lenses, which were discovered in one raid at Rhebogue, had been intended for use in shooting Mr Treacy from across the river at long range.