Biker shot dead in Limerick 'an innocent man in the wrong place'
By David Raleigh
The man fatally shot killed outside a Limerick motorcycle club, is believed by gardaí to have been an innocent party who was "in the wrong place at the wrong time".
Gardaí have recovered a sawn-off shotgun and a car believed to have been used in the shooting, which happened outside the Road Tramp Motorcycle Club, Murroe at around 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
Another biker is the chief suspect in the case.
Andrew O'Donoghue, a long-serving member of the club's "brotherhood", was shot in the face and later died from his injuries in hospital.
Mr O'Donoghue, known to his friends as "Odd" and "Denis", was originally from Lynwood Park, Limerick City, but had been living in Murroe with his partner Catherine Danaher.
The biker couple had lived in New York for a period, and returned home a number of years ago following the birth of their only daughter in the States.
"The fallout will be interesting because this is one of the first incidents of its kind here involving bikers. If one biker shoots another biker, it's like shooting a brother," a source said.
The source added: "Mr O'Donoghue was not known to Gardaí and his motorcycle cub has been operating for a good few years in Murroe and had never previously come to any adverse publicity."
As part of the probe, three men in their 40s and 20s were arrested on Saturday night. A fourth man who was arrested on Sunday night, can be detained by Gardaí for up to seven days without charge.
Paddy Farrelly, a friend of the victim, described the gun attack as "a senseless killing carried out by a coward".
Mr O'Donoghue is survived by his wife Kate, daughter Ava, mother Kathleen and brothers Peter and David.
His funeral arrangements are: Reposing at Cross' Funeral Home, Ballyneety, Co Limerick on Tuesday, June 23, from 5pm. Removal to Road Tramps MC Ireland clubhouse at 7pm. Requiem Mass in Murroe Church on Wednesday, June 24, at 11.30am followed by burial afterwards in Abington Cemetery, Murroe.
