Man linked to Collopy gang warned by gardai that his life remains in danger
A CLOSE relative of the Collopy crime gang may be forced to leave Limerick following two recent attempts to assassinate him.
Shane Mason, 27, who is currently living in the Moyross area of the city narrowly escaped injury last week when he was lured to Cathedral Place and shot at near where Eddie Ryan, 40, was shot dead in November 2000.
Senior gardai have since met with Shane Mason and warned him to take precautions as they believe his life remains in danger. "We have spoken to him and he has been given security advice," said a spokesman for Henry Street Garda Station, who would not elaborate on the nature of the advice given.
In January of this year Shane Mason, who has a string of previous convictions, was injured when he was shot as he sat in a car at Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty.
Thousands of rugby fans who had earlier attended the Heineken Cup match between Munster and Northampton at Thomond Park were caught up in the aftermath of the shooting as they left the packed stadium.
Garda sources have told the Limerick Leader that Mason, who is originally from Sean Heuston Place, has been targeted after he had a falling out with criminals based on the northside of the city.
Shane Mason is a first cousin of criminal Philip Collopy who accidently shot himself last year while showing off a handgun to friends at his home in St Mary's Park.
A major investigation involving more than 40 gardai is continuing following last week's shooting. Seven men, including four teenagers, have been questioned to date and a number of searches have been carried out in the city and in the Fedamore and Patrickswell areas.
Investigating gardai have viewed dozens of hours of cctv footage and a mobile phone seized from one of those arrested has been examined by communications experts at Garda Headquarters. A bullet from the weapon used by the gunmen was found embedded in a car, which was parked near the scene of the shooting.
Chief Supt David Sheahan, who is leading the investigation has revealed that a stolen taxi-plate was used on the getaway car. The vehicle, a blue Corolla sped off in the direction of Pennywell afterwards and was later found burned out in the Patrickswell area.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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