A Limerick pub where gangland figure Wayne Dundon threatened to kill a barman last year was the subject of a Garda investigation last night after it was extensively damaged in a suspected arson attack.
Last month Dundon (26), who was described by a senior garda in court as "one of the most violent criminals in Limerick city", was given the maximum 10-year sentence after he was convicted of threatening to kill Ryan Lee outside Brannigan's pub on December 19th last.
The barman, who was 19 at the time and who is a nephew of the owner of the pub, was shot twice while working in the pub later that same night, but no one has been charged with the shooting.
Pub-owner Steve Collins and the rest of his family have been under Garda protection since the shooting.
On the night the jury was sworn in for Dundon's trial, Mr Collins received a threatening letter warning him that his staff and business would be attacked.
The author of the letter also warned the publican to "look at all the other people that's dead" in Limerick.
Yesterday morning Mr Collins's pub, on Mulgrave Street in Limerick city, was extensively damaged in a fire which broke out shortly before 4am.
Four units of Limerick fire-brigade were called. Gardaí spent yesterday carrying out forensic examinations of the scene and looking for any signs of forced entry.
A Garda spokesman said the cause of the fire would not be known for some time, however foul play could not be ruled out.
"It's still very early in the investigation and the cause of fire will not be known for a while, but we cannot rule out foul play at this stage," the spokesman said.
The extent of the damage is not yet known but it is understood that the interior of the ground floor of the pub was completely destroyed.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Collins said he did not wish to comment on the fire but did say that he was still dealing with the shock of what had happened.
In interviews given after Dundon's trial Mr Collins - who also featured on a Prime Time special about Dundon - vowed that he would not be run out of Limerick, despite the events of recent months.