TWO LEADING members of one of the State’s most notorious criminal gangs being questioned by the Garda in Limerick on suspicion of threatening to kill a 23-year-old woman are due to appear in court today.
The brothers, aged 29 and 33, are key figures in the criminal gang based in Limerick city. A 21- year-old woman related to the men was also arrested yesterday evening as part of the inquiry.
The three were being questioned in relation to alleged threats against a former girlfriend of another family member who is in jail. They were also being questioned about threats against the woman’s mother and brother.
The latter is a former associate of the gang and both are serving lengthy sentences in prison.
The 23-year-old woman at the centre of the complaint is the former partner of a leading member of the gang and they have children together. It is understood the woman is involved in a new relationship with a convicted rapist and living in Co Limerick.
The mother of three has made a formal complaint to gardaí about the threats made against her.
The men were arrested in the Hyde Road area of Limerick at 8.40pm on Monday as part of a planned operation involving members of the Armed Response Unit. they were being held under section 5 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act.
Both men have previous convictions for making threats to kill and have served lengthy jail sentences.
The 29-year-old old suspect was being detained at Henry Street Garda station last night while the 33 year old was in custody at Roxboro Garda station. The 21- year-old woman was being questioned at Henry Street.
Two other men in their early 20s were also arrested as part of the inquiry. They were being detained at Bruff Garda station in Co Limerick and at Mayorstone Garda station in the city.