GARDAÍ were questioning five people arrested in Limerick this Monday and Tuesday over the murder of Limerick father-of-one Lee Slattery, who was shot dead on the outskirts of the city 14 years ago this month.
Gardaí arrested four men and a woman in respect of the shooting of the Ballynanty Beg man, whose body was found buried in makeshift grave in wooded area on the Delmege House estate, located near Moyross on May 31, 2010.
Members of the Slattery family had been contacted and given information as to the whereabouts of Lee’s body a number of days after they reported him missing. They went to search the wood, located off the Knockalisheen Road, and found the body just after 2pm that afternoon.
A post mortem performed by retired State Pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, found that Mr Slattery died after being shot in the head and body.
Gardaí were working on the theory that Lee Slattery was murdered by associates of the McCarthy-Dundon criminal gang over an outstanding drug debt.
At the time, Garda Superintendent John Gilligan, now retired, said: “There are people out there with information and we’re anxious that those people come forward, in confidence, and speak to us.”
“We’re determined that the ruthless criminals responsible for this will be brought to justice.”
A woman in her 30s, who was arrested by Gardaí on Sunday, May 19, in connection with the murder, was still being questioned at a Garda station this Wednesday.
Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, who were arrested by Gardaí last Monday, were released without charge after questioning.
The two men arrested on Tuesday as part of the Garda murder probe remained in custody at the time of this article being printed.
A total of 23 people have been arrested and questioned in relation to the murder.
