THE FAMILY of murdered Limerick businessman Roy Collins have said they will object in the strongest possible terms to his killer being freed early.
The 35-year old father of two was shot and fatally wounded by James Dillon on Holy Thursday, April 9, 2009, at his place of business in Roxboro Shopping Centre.
His father, Steve, had been the intended victim of the hit in revenge for his having given evidence against a Limerick gang who threatened to murder another of his sons after they were refused entry to the family-owned pub.
This week, the Collins family was contacted by the Parole Board to inform them that Dillon had applied for parole, inviting them to a meeting to discuss the matter.
In an earlier interview with Indenpedent.ie, Steve Snr said the family will be objecting to the release when they meet the Parole Board.
“We will be making it absolutely clear to the Parole Board and the Government that Dillon should not be released from prison for this crime – life should mean life for such a callous, cold blooded murder,” Mr Collins said.
Dillion was known as a drug addict at the time he murdered Roy. The ordered hit was regarded as his initiation into the gang.
A member of the Collins family told the Limerick Post that they will not be giving further media interviews until after the hearing at the request of the Parole Board.
