Garda forensic experts yesterday examined a home in Limerick as part of the ongoing investigation into the murder and alleged double abduction in the city in the last fortnight.
The examination took place at a house in the Roundwood Estate near Rosbrien, off Childers Road, in the south of the city. Gardaí also conducted house-to-house inquiries in the area.
The development came less that 24 hours after the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, said he was happy with the progress made by gardaí investigating recent events in Limerick.
Meanwhile, the funeral of a former drug-dealer, Mr Kieran Keane, is to take place tomorrow. His remains will be taken from Cross's funeral home in the city for 7 p.m. Mass at St Mary's Church this evening, one week after his murder.
He will be buried tomorrow morning at Kilmurray Cemetery in Castletroy.
Gardai are expected to mount an extensive surveillance operation at both the removal and funeral.
Senior sources said that despite recent events it was hoped the funeral would pass without incident. "We have a plan of action in place," said one source.
The dead man was murdered last Wednesday night during a gun attack at Drombanna just outside Limerick city. Mr Keane's nephew, Mr Owen Treacy, was stabbed repeatedly during the attack and has been recovering in hospital.
The Keane family had delayed the funeral until Mr Treacy was well enough to attend. But while he is expected to be at tonight's service Mr Keane's brother, Christie, is not. He is serving a 10-year drug-related term in Portlaoise Prison.
He lodged a request to be released temporarily for the funeral or to at least visit his brother's remains to "say goodbye".
However, that request is understood to have been rejected. It was felt his presence might further heighten tensions between the feuding gangs in Limerick.
Gardaí are working on the theory that Mr Keane's murder and the attack on Mr Treacy are linked to the alleged abduction and subsequent release of brothers Kieran and Eddie Ryan.
It is believed a third party, aiming to take control of the drugs supply in Limerick, played a key role in recent events.
Gardaí are keeping an "open mind" on whether the Ryans were abducted.
The Ryans are rivals of the Keane family. Kieran Keane was a chief suspect in the murder of the Ryans' father, Eddie, just over two years ago.
