The slayings of leading criminals and the emergence of a thriving local cannabis market in recent years have changed the face of the local crime scene. Until the mid- 1990s, burglaries, armed robberies and protection rackets provided much of the revenue for local criminals.

The four main criminal organisations are as follows:

The Keanes
A city-based gang formerly led by Kieran Keane from St Mary's Park, who died in February this year. Christy Keane (in his 40s) of Singland Gardens, Ballysimon, a younger brother of Kieran, is in Portlaoise Prison, serving ten years for cannabis dealing. Christy's son Liam (19) was tried in court for the murder of Eric Leamy (19) last week, but he was freed after six witnesses denied making their statements. Thirty people are associated with the group.

Firearms: hand guns and AK-47 automatic rifles. Principal activity: cannabis, money lending, coal business, horse trading. Family wealth: they live in the poorer parts of the city. The amount of drugs seized from them over the years suggests they are making a sizeable amount of money. Said to have dissident republican connections.

The Ryans
A northside family from Thomondgate. Former leader Eddie Ryan (in his 40s), was shot dead in November 2000 by Kieran Keane. Eddie was a former henchman of the Keanes and tried to kill Christy with a handgun the same month. A week later Eddie was shot dead. His brother John became the family chieftain after Eddie's death. John (in his 40s) was shot dead on his neighbour's doorstep in July. Eddie and Kieran Ryan jnr, sons of Eddie, were abducted in February. Kieran jnr was acquitted of charges of stabbing Christy Keane's son in January. Membership: ten to 15. Activities: cannabis, ecstasy.

Southside gang
Described by former alderman Michael Kelly as the most dangerous family in Limerick. Raised in England, the family returned to Limerick four years ago. The ringleader has only minor convictions. The murder of nightclub owner Brian Fitzgerald is believed to have been carried out by people associated with the gang. They are also suspected of shooting John Creamer on October 11, 2001, but no one was charged. The gang leader is in his late 20s and wears business suits. Members of the gang have threatened guards and prison officers.

Membership: small but fanatical core of 15 people. Guns: AK-47 and Uzi sub-machine guns. Business: cannabis, ecstasy, speed, armed robberies. Wealth: unknown.

The Kelly gang
Named after ringleader Mike Kelly, the poll-topping former alderman who has by and large gone straight. Kelly (47) continues to wield underworld influence, as evidenced by his role as mediator in the feud two years ago. The former Limerick City councillor was sentenced in March to eight months in prison after being convicted of 26 tax and social welfare charges. The court heard that Kelly had 37 previous convictions over a ten-year period, including assault, possession of a firearm and ammunition, larceny and burglary. The alderman now has a strong belief in God.