Members of the public were searched for weapons entering Limerick District Court yesterday for the appearance of four men charged with the murder of crime boss Kieran Keane.
More than 50 gardaí - including members of the Emergency Response Unit, armed detectives and uniformed members - mounted a massive security operation outside the courthouse building.
Barriers were erected at entrances to the courthouse plaza and Garda marksmen took up positions on rooftops and in the grounds of St Mary's cathedral.
Appearing before Judge Tom O'Donnell were Mr James McCarthy (24) and Mr David Stanners (31), both of Pineview Gardens, Moyross, Mr Christopher 'Smokey' Costelloe (20), of Moylish Avenue, Ballynanty, and Mr Anthony 'Noddy' McCarthy (21), The Fairgreen, all in Limerick.
They were charged yesterday with the murder of Kieran Keane (36) on January 29th last at Drombana - a few miles outside Limerick city - and with the attempted murder of his nephew, Mr Owen Treacy, on the same date. All four had previously been charged with the false imprisonment of both men.
Keane's widow, Sophie, and members of her family were present in the packed gallery for the 15-minute sitting.
Gardaí formed a cordon in front of the public gallery in an effort to eliminate any eye contact with the accused men.
Outlining evidence of arrest, charge and caution - Det Garda Gerry Doherty told the court that Mr James McCarthy replied, "That's only a waste of paper" in response to the charges.
Det Garda Dave Burke told the court that in response to the charge of attempted murder - Mt Anthony 'Noddy' McCarthy replied: "It must be raining murder."
The other two accused made no reply when the charges were read out to them, Judge O'Donnell heard.
Applying to further remand all four accused in custody for a period of one month, Insp John Courtney told the court that the book of evidence was "a considerable book of work" comprising a 5,000-page file, 720 statements and a 500-page report.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Aeneas McCarthy, told the court that three of his clients had been in custody for 94 days and that the State had a statutory obligation to produce the book of evidence after 42 days.
Judge O'Donnell remanded all four in custody, to appear again before Limerick District Court on July 2nd.