GARDAÍ have arrested a man in his 30s about the murder of Limerick teenager Aidan Kelly, who was shot dead 13 years ago.
Mr Kelly, (19), from College Avenue, Moyross, was due to become a father a few weeks after he was gunned down on the night of May 10, 2006.
Tuesday’s arrest is the first-ever detention of a suspect in connection with the long-running murder probe.
Mr Kelly was shot five times – once in the head and four times in the torso – and his body discovered at a boreen, in Blackwater near Ardnacrusha, about two miles outside Limerick City.
A number of locals raised the alarm after hearing shots being fired around 11pm. Mr Kelly was still alive when he was taken from the scene by ambulance, but was pronounced dead a short time later at University Hospital Limerick.
Although Gardaí were investigating a theory that he was lured to his death by criminals involved in Limerick’s notorious feud, Mr Kelly’s family said he had no involvement in the gang war.
The youngest of five children, Aidan Kelly was known to Gardaí mainly for road traffic offences, but was not regarded as a serious criminal.
A forensic examination was carried out on Mr Kelly’s car which had been found near to where his body was recovered.
Gardaí also conducted forensic tests on a shotgun which was discovered at the scene, however senior Garda sources said at the time that they did not believe it was the murder weapon.
Gardai were also investigating whether the murder had any link to a shooting earlier on the same night at College Avenue in Moyross.
Superintendent Gerry Mahon, now retired, told reporters at the time that the investigation team had “not established a motive”.
Confirming details of the first arrest in the murder investigation, a Garda spokesman said that a suspect was arrested on Tuesday morning and was being detained at Henry Street Garda Station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has information, no matter how insignificant they may think it is, to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.
