GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING the murder of Limerick businessman Roy Collins said yesterday they had made a “significant” breakthrough in the case.
Two men arrested on suspicion of Mr Collins’s murder remained in custody last night after a special sitting of Limerick District Court.
The State successfully applied to have the two men detained for a further two days.
A third person was also in custody last night in connection with the murder inquiry.
The woman, who is in her 20s, was arrested on the south side of the city yesterday morning and was being held at Mayorstone Garda station last night on suspicion of withholding information.
It is understood gardaí want to speak to her about events which took place directly after the shooting.
The two men, aged 19 and 23, were arrested at a house in the Ballinacurra Weston area of the city shortly after the murder last Thursday afternoon.
They are being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, which means they can be detained for up to seven days.
Yesterday at Limerick District Court Chief Supt John Kerin revealed there had been a “significant development” in the investigation late on Monday night, which he claimed would link both men with the murder of Mr Collins.
The senior garda said it was not in the interest of the investigation to disclose the nature of this development and that more time was required to interview the suspects.
He said gardaí were also awaiting results from tests being carried out at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Dublin.
Chief Supt Kerin said the suspects had been arrested on suspicion of murder, which is one of the most serious offences in the State, and alleged gardaí were dealing with “one of the most violent and organised criminal gangs in this country”.
The court heard the 19-year-old suspect had been interviewed on 27 separate occasions up until 9am yesterday, while the 23-year-old had been interviewed 25 times during the same period.
Chief Supt Kerin also revealed that gardaí have taken 200 memos and statements, and have acquired CCTV footage from 18 separate premises, while more was being sought.
He said six gardaí were working full-time on the analysis of telecommunications evidence and that it takes three hours to download one hour of CCTV footage.
The court also heard that the search for the murder weapon was still ongoing and that the Garda subaqua team and the dog unit were involved in searches, which continued yesterday.
At yesterday’s hearing, solicitors for both men expressed concern about the impact of the lengthy detention periods on their clients’ health.
John Herbert, who is representing the 23-year-old suspect, told the court that he was greatly concerned for his client’s welfare following an allegation of mistreatment while in custody.
The 23-year-old suspect took the witness box and claimed he was punched twice in the chest by a garda during one of his interviews before the tape recording commenced.
He claimed another garda spat into his face after the interview concluded.
Chief Supt Kerin said the allegation was being investigated, while State solicitor Michael Murray said there was no evidence of an assault.
Dr Daragh Little, who was called to Henry Street Garda station to examine the suspect on April 12th, also gave evidence yesterday.
He said he found the suspect to be in good health for his age and said he could continue to be questioned.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy said he was satisfied that the investigation was being carried out in a “diligent and expeditious manner” and granted the extension orders in respect of both men.
Meanwhile, a book of condolences for Roy Collins’s family was opened at Limerick County Council headquarters in Dooradoyle yesterday.
The Mayor of Limerick, Cllr John Gilligan, will open a book of condolences in Limerick City Hall at 10am today.