Limerick gang takes over city pub
ONE of Limerick's most notorious drugs gangs is understood to have taken over a city-centre pub.
The Criminal Assets Bureau and the gardai are now investigating the pub's operations, a garda source confirmed this Thursday.
Garda and legal sources believe the gang have done a "secret" deal to run the pub.
"The owner has it leased out to a young man from County Limerick. He (the young man] has now allowed the drugs gang to take charge of the pub, totally without the owner's permission. It has been raided a number of times and the Gardai are keeping a very close watch on the premises," said a Garda source.
Members of the gang have been seen outside the pub, swigging bottles of beer.
However, they are likely to be prevented from acquiring the public house if they apply for a transfer of ownership of the bar at Limerick District Court, where gardai are likely to object.
The auctioneer in charge of the premises confirmed that it is currently being rented out. While there is no reserve offer on the sale of the pub, it is believed that it could sell for in excess of €1million.
In a separate development, fears that violence could break out in the city have been anticipated in advance of the release of Christy Keane, 48, from the Midlands prison in February. Mr Keane received a 10-year sentence in 2002 after he was convicted with possession of cannabis worth in excess of €240,000, found in a coal bag in St Mary's Park, where he is reputed to own in the region of 38 properties.
However, gardai said they could not comment on any individual cases or on any upcoming operational matters.
Meanwhile, Christy Keane's son, Liam Keane, 24, of Singland Gardens, Ballysimon, was this Tuesday sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of a gun, ammunition and driving a stolen vehicle.
Fears were heightened last Sunday night, when four vehicles allegedly belonging to the Keane family were burnt out across the city. Last Sunday night, a 2008 registered Range Rover was burnt out in a coal yard in the city. It is reputed to be owned by Christy Keane's nephew Owen Treacy. His sister's car, a Peugeot 306, was also burnt out.
Two other vehicles - a 2005 registered Volkswagen Passet and a 2004 registered Toyota Avensis - were also destroyed. The total damage to the vehicle is estimated to cost in the region of €100,000.
Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Kiely, chairman of the Joint Policing Committee in Limerick, said he hopes there would not be renewed hostilities as a result of the release of numerous high-profile local criminals.
"I would appeal to the people involved in the feud just to get on with their lives. We have seen what has happened down through the years, with people being handed down lengthy sentences and the loss of lives. I would urge people just to step back," said Cllr Kiely.
Earlier this week, Fine Gael councillor Diarmuid Scully urged the Criminal Assets Bureau to investigate whether a house allegedly purchased by Christy Keane in Lynwood Park, Singland, a number of years ago was bought with the proceeds of crime.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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