Gunmen fire shots over coffin
Related Articles
Wednesday March 25 2009
A VOLLEY of gunshots was fired in the St Marys Park area of Limerick last night as the removal of one of the city’s most ruthless criminals passed through the area.
Philip Collopy (29), a career criminal from the city, died at the weekend after he shot himself with a Glock handgun.
Last night, Collopy’s remains were brought from a city centre funeral home to St Mary’s Church via St Mary’s Park – the stronghold of the Keane- Collopy gang.
A hearse drawn by four horses was used to move the coffin around the area.
Gunshots rang out over the estate around 9pm as the funeral cortege made its way around the St Mary’s Park estate – locally known as the Island Field.
Garda sources confirmed the gunmen who illegally fired weapons last night were positioned at the back of the Island Field.
Up to a dozen gunshots were fired in a tribute to the dead gangster by his criminal associates.
Bizarrely, the dead man, who gardai believe was responsible for the first murder in Limerick's feud, was dressed in a bulletproof vest in his coffin.
He also wore Army-style camouflage fatigues while a Tricolour was draped across his chest.
Gardai will keep a discreet watch at his funeral today.
