Fears grow of rise in gangland violence in Limerick

Fears of an escalation in gangland violence were mounting in Limerick last night following a shooting in the city yesterday that gardaí say was a revenge attack for the murder late on Sunday of drug dealer Frankie Ryan.

Extra Garda patrols were put in place last night in known flashpoint estates with gardaí from outside the Limerick division drafted in to support their colleagues in Limerick city.

Garda sources said the target of yesterday's shooting was lucky to survive after a burst of gunfire from a semi-automatic firearm shattered the back window of the van he was driving. A passenger in the van also escaped uninjured.

The attack took place at 12.10pm at Ballyneety village, on the Limerick to Bruff road around five miles from Limerick city.

A car carrying two men pulled up behind the van and opened fire. The gunman was driven at speed from the scene by an accomplice.

Gardaí believe yesterday's shooting represents a serious escalation in the security situation in the city given the identity of the target of the attack. He is a man in his 40s from the St Mary's Park area who is very closely aligned to the Keane drugs gang, which has been one of the most active organised crime gangs in Limerick for more than a decade.

The intended victim was very close to crime boss Kieran Keane who was shot dead just outside Limerick city in February 2003 when the city's well-documented feud erupted.

The man is well known to gardaí. He is regarded as a central figure in the Keane criminal empire. An attempt was made on his life last November when a gunman burst into his home and opened fire.

Gardaí believe criminals allied to the Keanes were responsible for the shooting dead of Frankie Ryan (21) on Sunday night.

He was shot in the head as he sat in his car in Pineview Gardens, Moyross, at 9.45pm. Detectives are working on the theory that Frankie Ryan was murdered because he had aligned himself with rivals of the Keane gang.

They believe Mr Ryan's associates then decided to seek revenge yesterday by attacking members of the Keane gang. Frankie Ryan was the sixth victim of the Limerick feud in as many years.

Tensions have been building in recent months following a number of non-fatal shooting incidents over the summer between rival factions.

The security situation is being kept under review and reinforcements, up to and including the Emergency Response Unit, will be drafted in if needed.

Gardaí investigating yesterday's shooting arrested a 20-year-old man in the city. He was being detained at Roxboro Road Garda station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.