Gardaí Fears Of Gang War In Limerick

The shooting of a man, left for dead in a waste ground in Limerick, has sparked fears amongst the Gardaí that an all out gang war could descend on the blighted area.

The ongoing feud in the area is in danger of becoming a war as the murder of James Cronin, 20, has split the gang and could lead to a circle of violence.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy was at the scene of Mr Cronin’s shallow grave on Tuesday, and a post-mortem examination carried out that night confirmed that Mr Cronin, from Janesboro, had been shot in the head before his body was dumped.

Gardai believe the victim had been the driver of a getaway car that was used in the murder of 40-year-old Mark Moloney, who was shot dead on Saturday afternoon, near his home in Garryowen.

Gardaí suspect the leaders of the gang who ordered Mr Moloney's murder then decided to shoot Mr Cronin and an accomplice.

The escalating violence has forced senior gardaí to bring in further officers from the national support unit, along with local gardaí in a bid to tighten security in the area.

Chief Superintendent Willie Keane, who is heading the murder investigations said: "It is resulting in death, serious injury or disability. It is resulting in long terms of imprisonment and sadness and bereavement for families here. So it is pain all the way through, there are just no winners."

(DW)