Satisfactory progress in Limerick inquiry, says Byrne

The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, last night said he was "very pleased with the progress being made and developments so far" in the investigation into the murder and alleged double abduction in Limerick last week.

Limerick was no more dangerous than other cities and people should not be afraid to walk its streets, to invest there or to visit, he said.

It emerged yesterday that Christie Keane, the brother of murder victim Kieran Keane, had requested temporary release from prison to "say goodbye" to his brother. It is understood Christie Keane, who is serving a drug- related 10-year prison term in Portlaoise prison, would not be allowed to attend his brother's funeral scheduled for Thursday, but may be brought to visit his brother's remains, as soon as today.

Kieran Keane was murdered in a gun attack in Drombanna, just outside Limerick city, on Wednesday night. Gardai are working on the theory that the murder was linked to the alleged abduction and release of Limerick brothers Kieran and Eddie Ryan who are rivals of the Keanes. Detectives believe a third party was involved.

Keane's nephew, Mr Owen Treacy, was stabbed repeatedly during the attack that claimed his uncle's life. The Keane family decided to postpone the funeral until Mr Treacy is well enough to attend.

Speaking at Roxborough Garda station in Limerick city, Mr Byrne said he was satisfied with the way his officers had handled recent events in Limerick. His comments came less than 24 hours after a home was petrol bombed on the Lee Estate in the city.

That attack, at around 7 p.m. on Sunday night, was the latest incident linked to a long-running gang feud in the city. It came as armed officers from the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) patrolled the streets close to where the attack happened.

"I think you can take it from what I am saying that I'm very hopeful for the future in relation to these \," Mr Byrne said. "I feel at the end of the day they'll come to a very satisfactory conclusion. We know we have a challenge here and a task to do but we won't be found wanting in that task. Our record in Limerick speaks for itself."

He described as "appalling" intimidation seen in Limerick during recent Garda inquiries into serious crime. "Intimidation, even if it is only one case, is a serious matter," he said.

Arrests would follow on the basis of evidence. "We don't just arrest people for the sake of it," he said.

It was put to him that many detectives and gardaí based in Limerick are currently occupied by long homicide cases in Dublin and that this has been a strain on resources.

In reply he said the level of detection of serious homicide crimes by Limerick gardaí meant the force in the city was a "victim of its own success".

He said the ERU would continue to patrol in Limerick and he would take direction from local gardaí as to when it might be withdrawn. It is expected the crack unit will remain in the city for at least several more weeks and maybe a lot longer.