Gardaí were last night continuing to question a Co Clare man and a 15-year old Shannon youth in connection with the murder of Ennis hackney driver Mr Liam Moloney (56).
Almost two weeks after the largest-ever murder investigation was launched in Co Clare, local gardaí and personnel from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested a 53-year old man from Ruan, Co Clare, yesterday morning at a rented home between Ballinskelligs and Waterville in south Co Kerry.
Later, gardaí in Shannon arrested a local youth in connection with withholding information from the inquiry into Mr Moloney's murder. The senior garda leading the investigation confirmed last night that the two people in custody are known to each other.
Supt John Kerin, of Ennis Garda station, described the day's events as "very, very significant" in relation to the overall investigation.
Yesterday's arrests come 11 days after Mr Moloney's body was found dumped in a field near Ruan.
He was murdered the previous night after sustaining multiple stab wounds while in his cab. Last week, gardaí recovered the 12-inch kitchen knife used to kill Mr Moloney during a forensic search of his car.
The man being questioned last night at Cahirciveen Garda station in connection with Mr Moloney's murder is understood to have left Ireland after finishing school to live in the US for 25 years. He returned to Ireland four years ago and has lived alone in Co Kerry.
It is also understood that the man being questioned was acquainted with Mr Moloney and they first came into contact seven to eight months ago.
The man was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and he can be detained for 72 hours.
Supt Kerin confirmed that the man was being questioned in relation to the murder of Mr Moloney and the finding of a sawn-off shotgun in his home.
