Andrew Carey
A 37-YEAR-old man arrested in connection with the shooting of a convicted drug dealer in Limerick earlier this week can be detained until this Saturday a court has ordered after a Judge was told that 80 gardai are involved in the investigation.
A special sitting of Limerick District Court heard details of the investigation that gardai in Limerick are conducting after 55-year-old Christy Keane was shot by two men at the car park of the University of Limerick Sports Arena.
A 72-hour extension was granted by the court in order to question the 37-year-old man arrested in connection with the shooting.
Keane, a well known convicted drug dealer was ambushed by two masked men armed with handguns in a car park outside the University of Limerick Sports arena at 6.40am last Monday as he made his way to an early morning gym session
The 55-year-old was struck at least four times but managed to run 100 metres before collapsing on the running track behind the arena.
He remains in a stable condition at University Hospital Limerick.
The 37-year-old suspect appeared before a special sitting of Kilmallock District Court on Wednesday evening.
Judge Marion O’Leary heard that 80 Gardai are involved in the investigation with assistance from national support units.
CCTV footage is still being harvested and viewed as part of the investigation, while 80 people have been interviewed after 50 houses were canvassed as part of ongoing house to house inquiries.
The results of ballistic tests carried out on two fire arms, shell casings and bullet fragments have yet to be put to the suspect, the court heard.
Forensic tests are also being carried out on two vehicles found on fire after the shooting.
A number of lines of inquiry are under investigation but the links and opposing factions and groups linked to previous gangland murders and shootings are being looked at during the intensive investigation.
Further arrests are likely in the coming days as gardai vow to quell any resurgence of the bitter feud that dogged the city and claimed at least 18 lives during its 15 years.
