GARDAÍ believe that the seizure of a handgun will briefly dispel fears of a dispute escalating between a number of families following the St Patrick’s day murder of a Limerick man in Shannon.
The gun was seized in a follow-up operation connected to the fatal stabbing of Jamie Higgins outside the Shannon Knights nightclub while he was out socialising with family and friends.
The attack occurred at around 2am as a result of non-criminal dispute between three extended families. Despite the best efforts of bar staff, Gardaí and emergency paramedics, the 23-year-old talented sportsman lost his fight for life.
Gardaí say that Jamie was involved in an earlier dispute that reignited later that night.
In the days following his death and funeral, tensions escalated and a house on Father Russell Road was targeted.
Gardaí later seized a number of weapons including two firearms.
A major joint investigation involving Gardaí from the Limerick and Clare divisions is ongoing.
All parties involved in the dispute were one-time friends but it is now feared that unless Gardaí can deal with the perpetrators there is fear of further loss of life.
After Jamie’s killing, one man was arrested but later released without charge and Gardaí are now preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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