Third man questioned in connection with Collins killing

A third person was being questioned tonight by detectives probing the murder of a Limerick businessman.

Roy Collins, 35, was gunned down as he worked in an amusement arcade adjoining his father’s pub at the Roxboro shopping centre on Thursday afternoon.

Gardaí said a woman in her 20s was arrested this morning and is being held at Roxboro Road garda station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, who were arrested by armed officers within an hour of the killing, had their period of detention extended by another 48 hours at Limerick District Court earlier today.

Meanwhile, Limerick Co Council today opened a book of condolence in County Hall for Mr Collins’ grieving family.

John Gallahue, cathaoirleach of Limerick Co Council, said the community wanted to show solidarity with Mr Collins’ friends and relatives.

“It’s also an opportunity for us to register our disgust at this heinous crime, that an innocent man can be foully murdered by those thugs.” he said.

The book was officially opened by Mr Gallahue and deputy cathaoirleach Gerry Behan.

It is believed two men walked into the amusement arcade attached to the Steering Wheel pub and shot Mr Collins once shortly after midday.

Gardaí believe the shooting was a revenge attack because a member of Mr Collins’ family had given evidence against a leading Limerick gangster.

The Collins family had been under garda protection since the court hearing in 2005.

A partially burnt-out Mercedes was found a short distance from the shooting, believed to have been the getaway car.

Two men were arrested in the Ballinacurra area of the city within an hour of the shooting.

A book of condolence was also opened at the county hall last November following the brutal slaying of Shane Geoghegan.