Brother of drug lord Christy Keane laid to rest in his native Limerick

Pa Keane’s work-pants were laid over the coffin as it was shouldered out of St Mary’s Church, Athlunkard Street, Limerick, and into a waiting carriage drawn by four horses wearing black bridles.

The grandfather who worked for over 30 years with Limerick Corporation, died last Thursday of a suspected heart attack at his home at Island Road, Assumpta Park, Limerick City, located a short distance from St Mary’s Park, a stronghold of the Keane drug gang, and which gardai believe is run by Pa Keane’s brother Christy.

Christy Keane was jailed in 2002 for 10 years for possession of €250,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply - a charge he had denied.

Christy survived an attempt on his life on the grounds of the University of Limerick in 2015, when he was shot a number of times as he walked to a gymnasium at the UL Sports Arena.

Pa Keane, who had also worked in the family’s coal business, had his own brush with the law, and his most serious conviction came before Limerick District Court in March 2011 for threatening to kill co-worker at the Council’s road sweeping depot, on April 22, 2010.

Pa escaped jail however, when Judge Tom O’Donnell imposed a fully-suspended eight month sentence.

In February 2010 he escaped an apparent attempt on his life when a suspected gunman approached a Limerick Council employee driving a mini-sweeper in the city centre, but they fled after realising Pa Keane was not in the vehicle.

Is understood the suspected triggerman planned to assassinate Pa Keane solely because of his family connections.

Pa Keane’s brother Kieran Keane was tortured and shot dead in 2003, and his nephew Owen Treacy was stabbed 17 times in the same attack by members of the McCarthy Dundon criminal gang.

Owen Treacy, who was seen walking behind his uncle’s coffin today, miraculously survived that attack, and provided eye-witness testimony for the State in the trial of the five McCarthy Dundon gang members who were jailed for life.

Kieran Keane’s son Liam Keane, walked alongside his uncle Owen Treacy as they followed Pa Keane’s coffin to his grave at Mount St Lawrence Cemetery in a final mark of respect.

Pa Keane’s funeral cortège was led from the church to the cemetery by a lone rider on a sulky as a tribute to his love of horses.

He is predeceased by his wife Nora and is survived by his family Alan, Donna, Teresa, Aimee, and David.