Two of four people detained by Limerick gardaí in connection with the killing of crime figure Kieran Keane were released without charge last night.
Two other people, a man and a woman, were still being detained in the city as it emerged gardaí now believe a third party, and not just rival Limerick gangs, was involved in the events of the past week.
Gardaí are examining the theory that a freelance crime figure was hired by murder victim Mr Keane to kidnap the Ryan brothers, Eddie and Ciaran, and hold them to ransom. They believe Mr Keane and the hired criminal may have fallen out over money and that Mr Keane was killed as part of that dispute and the Ryans were then freed.
However, gardaí were not aware of any ransom demand being made during the Ryans' week-long ordeal.
Mr Keane was one of the city's biggest drug-dealers. His brother, Christie, was also a major drug dealer but is currently serving a 10-year drug-related prison term.
With the Keane brothers no longer active in the drugs scene in the city, it is now feared a new turf war may erupt as rival parties attempt to take over from the Keane's associates, who are not considered to be as astute as the brothers.
Investigating officers yesterday interviewed the Ryan brothers for two hours. They are understood to have provided information to the gardaí.
This will be evaluated and the brothers may be interviewed again. The Ryans went to Mayorstone Garda station by arrangement yesterday.
Gardaí also spent a lengthy period interviewing Mr Keane's nephew, Mr Owen Treacy, who was repeatedly stabbed during the same attack which claimed Mr Keane's life on Wednesday night.
It is understood Mr Treacy co-operated with gardaí and investigations will now focus on how best to use that information.
Mr Treacy has been identified as a crucial witness in trying to establish who and what was behind the abduction of the Ryan brothers and the murder of Mr Keane.
Mr Treacy, who is seriously ill but stable, was interviewed at Limerick Regional Hospital during a number of short sessions with gardaí.
The team conducting the investigation into the abduction and murder last night said progress had been made yesterday and a lot of information was now in the hands of the gardaí.
Further arrests are expected. Garda Supt John Farrelly said that while the situation in Limerick remained "volatile", tensions had been confined to "small pockets" in the city.
"It is tense and we have to wait and see what happens," he said yesterday.
The Emergency Response Unit was again patrolling Limerick streets last night.
It is understood Mr Keane is to be buried on Monday. His funeral may prove another flashpoint in the feud in the city.
Yesterday morning a man and woman were detained by gardaí in Tipperary and were being questioned at Mayorstone Garda station in Limerick. The man was aged 33 and woman aged 42.
A second woman, aged 40, was released after being questioned at Roxborough Road Garda Station. The man detained with her in Limerick on Thursday morning was also released. The two still being detained were being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be detained for a total of 72 hours. Once that period has expired, they must be charged or released.