‘Isolated’ criminal could f lee to Spain

NOTORIOUS criminal Liam Keane was back on the streets yesterday after serving seven years of a 10-year sentence for possession of firearms.

The Limerick thug’s infamous two-fingered gesture to the State after his murder trial collapsed in 2003 infuriated the nation and led to the introduction of radical new laws.

But now, more than a decade on, the 32-year- old Limerick thug was said to feel ‘very isolated’ as his release drew near.

Sources told the Irish Mail on Sunday that although Keane will want to avenge an attack on his father Christy, who was badly injured in a gun attack last year, most of his criminal associates are either hiding out in Spain or in jail. A source said: ‘The brains behind the younger Keane crew are not in Limerick at the moment. [Liam] will without doubt try to avenge his father’s attack. But not straight away, as for now he will feel quite isolated.’

Another source said Keane might head straight for Spain but that if he showed up in Limerick, ‘it will only be a matter of days before he is arrested again. He is not one for staying out of trouble for long.’

Keane, who has more than 50 previous convictions, was jailed in 2009 after being caught with a Glock semi-automatic pistol and ammunition while driving a stolen highpowered sports car.

He was forced to plead guilty and was sentenced to 10 years.