Nine people, including two women, were arrested in Limerick city yesterday in connection with the murder of a car dealer in 2002. Seán Poland (39), was shot dead at his home in Blackwater, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, on New Year's Eve.
The second-hand car dealer was attacked by a gang of masked men at the front door of his bungalow shortly after 11.30 p.m. His partner, Ms Joanne Lyons (42), was tied up by the killers who arrived at the house minutes after the couple returned from a night out. Ms Lyons managed to escape and raised the alarm.
A number of people have been questioned about the murder but so far nobody has been charged. Yesterday, two women and seven men were arrested around Limerick city in early morning raids. Senior gardaí described the arrests as "significant" .