Roy Collins’ murder - Killing is a challenge to all of society

IN a scene straight from one of the darker passages of a Mario Puzo mafia-fest, an innocent father and businessman was murdered in his family-owned amusement arcade, on Thursday, because his cousin gave evidence against a key associate of the killers.

He was fatally shot at his place of work, in broad daylight, just yards from a major Garda station. His murder is the 18th in Limerick’s incomprehensible and savage gang war. It is also symptomatic of a society facing huge challenges from criminals.

The shooting of Roy Collins is the latest in a long list of gang-related atrocities in a city that is still recovering from the cold-blooded murder of another innocent victim, rugby player Shane Geoghegan, last November.