Eight people were last night being quizzed by gardaí about a gangland murder in Limerick in January, following a number of early morning arrests in the city.
Three women and five men were arrested after a Garda swoop on a number of housing estates on the north side of the city shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday. All eight are being questioned about the murder of Kieran Keane who was shot dead in an execution-style killing on January 29th last.
The 36-year-old crime boss had his hands tied behind his back and was shot once in the back of the head. His nephew Owen Treacy was stabbed several times in the same attack.
Since Mr Keane's murder gardaí have interviewed 20 people about his death and recent serious crimes in the city, including the alleged gunpoint abduction of Eddie and Kieran Ryan on January 23rd last.
The two brothers - who had been missing for a week - turned up safe and well just hours after Mr Keane was shot dead.
Files have been prepared for the DPP in relation to a number of those questioned but no one has yet been charged in connection with the murder or the alleged kidnapping.
The arrest of eight people yesterday brings to 28 the number of people questioned to date in connection with recent serious crime in the city.
On January 30th and 31st last, two men and two women were arrested in Tipperary and questioned about Kieran Keane's murder.
On February 19th, four men were arrested in Limerick city and questioned about the Keane murder and the alleged abduction of brothers Eddie and Kieran Ryan. Between March 6th and March 9th, six more men and three women were arrested in Limerick and Tipperary and questioned.
On March 7th last, three Limerick men, connected to Kieran Keane, were arrested in Co Kildare after being found in possession of suspected explosive materials. They were released without charge but a file has been sent to the DPP.
The eight people arrested yesterday range in age from late 20s to early 30s.
It is understood all are connected to the northside-based Ryan family who have been locked in a bitter family feud for the past number of years.