Three men charged in connection with the kidnapping of Kieran Keane in Limerick in January have been refused bail.
Mr James McCarthy (23) and Mr David Stanners (31), both with addresses at Pineview Gardens, Moyross, and Mr Christopher "Smokey" Costelloe (20) of Moylish Avenue, Ballynanty, are also charged with the abduction of Mr Keane's nephew, Mr Owen Treacy, on January 29th, when they appeared in court in Limerick today.
Mr Keane was found shot dead on a country road on the outskirts of Limerick on January 29th.
The court heard that one of the three men had allegedly been identified by a key witness as the killer of Kieran Keane.
Gardaí told the court today Mr Treacy had made a statement allegedly identifying Mr Stanners as the man who shot Kieran Keane. The statement also alleged Mr Stanners had stabbed Mr Treacy more than 40 times in the same attack.
Detective Inspector Bob Noonan told the court bail was also being opposed on several other grounds. "It is my firm belief that these three people would continue to take part in an ongoing feud which has already resulted in the loss of life and could intimidate witnesses if they were released on bail," he said.
There was a major Garda presence both inside and outside the packed courtroom during the lengthy bail hearing.
When the three men appeared before a special sitting of the court last Sunday, they were heckled and abused by onlookers as they were being led in and taken away.