Gang boss's nephew named as ‘pivotal player' in crime gang was chief suspect in gun attack
Richard Treacy is involved in the day-today running of the gang
A nephew of Limerick crime boss Christy Keane, described as 'a pivotal player' in the notorious crime clan after pleading guilty to money laundering, was the chief suspect in a gun attack on hitman Nathan Killeen's brother.
Richard Treacy admitted €100,000 from unknown sources had been spent on the house where he lives in Garryowen, Limerick.
But a quantity surveyor who accompanied gardaí when a search warrant was executed at the house estimated the cost of the renovations was three times higher.
The higher figure from the surveyor's report was referred to in High Court evidence last month in a case against his cousin Kieran Keane Jnr.
Crime boss Christy Keane
The Special Criminal Court heard this week that Treacy pleaded guilty on the basis that €100,000 had been spent on the house ,which was accepted by the State.
Richard Treacy is a nephew of gang boss Christy Keane and a younger brother of Owen Treacy Snr.
Owen Treacy Snr survived being abducted and stabbed multiple times by members of the Dundon-McCarthy gang in one of the most infamous incidents in Limerick's gangland feud.
Kieran Keane Snr died in the same incident in 2003 for which five men were jailed for life.
Richard Treacy is involved in the day-today running of the gang
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th
Last month his first cousin Kieran Keane Jnr lost a case brought by the Criminal Assets Bureau to have properties and cash in Limerick declared the proceeds of crime.
As part of that case there was evidence given to the High Court which gave an account of Richard Treacy's alleged criminal activity.
An officer stated: 'He currently operates at the highest level within the Keane OCG and is a pivotal player in the day-to-day running of the criminal organisation.'
The house in Garryowen
'He is very close with his cousin Kieran Keane and both are regularly observed in each other's company.'
The same witness also stated how a surveyor carried out a detailed review of Treacy's home which included 'refurbishment, extension and redecoration.'
The final estimate from the review carried out in 2021 came to €315,713.
It was also stated that in the early stages of the feud with the McCarthy-Dundon gang that 'Richard was an active participant.
'He was a target of an attack by Frank 'Fat Frankie' Ryan (deceased) and Christopher McCarthy in June 2006 where he was attacked with weapons. He fled uninjured.'
It also mentioned the killing of Daren Coughlan in November 2005 for which Treacy along with his cousin Joe Keane and Shane Kelly were convicted of manslaughter.
It was stated this was 'a feud related attacked' as the victim had been a relation of David 'Frog Eyes' Stanners.
Stanners, who has since died in prison, was serving a life sentence for the murder of Kieran Keane Snr and the attempted murder of Owen Treacy, Richard's brother.
His brother Daniel Treacy, who was not involved in organised crime, was shot dead in 2010 by John Coughlan, Darren's brother.
Treacy was also stated as being 'the principal suspect in the shooting of Gavin Killeen at O'Malley Park, Southill Limerick on 20 July 2006'.
Gavin Killeen was a brother of McCarthy-Dundon gunman Nathan Killeen who is currently serving a life sentence for his role in the murder of businessman Roy Collins.
Their sister Ciara was in a long-term relationship with gang boss John Dundon.
Also cited were two incidents of violent disorder in in 2006 and 2015 in which Treacy was involved when members of the rival factions clashed in public.
During this week's Special Criminal Court hearing, counsel for Treacy objected to garda evidence at the hearing that his manslaughter conviction was 'feud-related'.
Counsel said it was an attempt to 'colour' the minds of the three-judge panel and made an application they recuse themselves.
The application was denied.
The case has now been adjourned for sentencing on October 20.
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