Byrne 'pleased' with Limerick feud investigation

The Garda Commissioner Mr Pat Byrne said this evening he was "very pleased" with the progress being made in the Garda investigation…

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

Speaking after meeting senior officers in the city investigating family feuding, Mr Byrne said Limerick is no more dangerous than other cities and people should not be afraid to walk its streets, to invest there or to visit.

Last night, a suspected petrol bomb attack on a house was believed to be part of the feud, which has resulted in the death of one man - Mr Kieran Keane - and the alleged abduction of Mr Eddie Ryan and brother Kieran.

The house, on the Lee estate, reportedly belongs to Ms Teresa O'Brien, a sister-in-law of Mr John Ryan, uncle of the two Ryan brothers.

READ MORE

It is understood the O'Brien family had left the house at the weekend because of fears for their safety. Ms O'Brien's car had already been attacked. There was extensive damage to the house, particularly downstairs. A Garda spokesman said technical experts would examine the house.

Mr John Ryan also left his home in the same estate in recent days and it remained boarded up last night. The Lee estate is close to St Mary's Park where members of the rival Keane family live.

The attack on the O'Brien home happened after 7 p.m. There was a heavy presence of gardaí from the Emergency Response Unit outside the house last night.