MINISTER for Justice Alan Shatter said it was vital the State would be seen to stand by the Collins family.
“Since my appointment as Minister, I have been determined that the State should do everything it could to assist Mr Steve Collins and his family. Mr Collins, and his family, stood by the institutions of this State and paid a dreadful price for the courage which they showed. It is vital that the State is seen to stand by them.”
The Minister praised the work of Limerick gardaí in tackling gangland crime but said the Collins family had had no choice but to leave. “For some considerable time we have been in contact with Mr Collins as to how the State could best assist him and his family. These discussions culminated in Mr Collins deciding that the best hope for himself and his family to lead a better life is to move abroad. While, for security reasons, I cannot go into any details, I can say that the State has offered and is giving him every assistance possible in giving effect to that decision.”
He added: “Of course, I regret that Mr Collins had to take this decision, but I fully understand it and I am sure all right-thinking people will wish him and his family well in their move. The greatest tribute which can be paid to their courage is for the gardaí to continue to bring to justice those involved in gangland activities in Limerick and elsewhere, and I know they are determined to do just that.”
Mayor of Limerick Jim Long said yesterday the State would have to look at how it dealt with witnesses in gangland situations.
He warned: “Let’s hope that the message does not go out that we can’t protect State witnesses, because I think there’s a lesson to be learned here. I know that Steve was never in danger with the 24-hour security he had, but it took his life away. It took the lives of his family away.”
Former Limerick mayor John Gilligan said Limerick was a safer place because of the unflinching bravery of the Collins family.