Former Southill curate Fr Joe Young said: “A whole generation of young people are dying from heroin abuse and, following the recent murder of Shane Geoghegan, something needs to be done. Let’s march on the people that every man and his dog in the street knows are dealing drugs and involved in crime and say ‘we don’t want any more of this’. Otherwise, I believe the violence in Limerick is going to get worse. And, honest to God, people are being held hostage in their own homes while these criminals run riot.”

Fr Young, who pioneered a number of youth initiatives when he lived in Southill, said people should now get out on the streets and march in solidarity against crime. He said this would be more effective than marching outside the offices of politicians.

Fr Young has formed a support group, named Lost Future, for families who have lost relatives in violent or sudden circumstances.

Meanwhile the investigation into the murder of rugby captain, Shane Geoghegan, continues and specialist detectives are trawling through a huge amount of material found during extensive of searches.

Inspector Seamus Ruane said: “We have carried out 60 planned searches to date mostly in the south side of the city. Four fire arms and more than 400 rounds of ammunition have been found as well as drugs valued at about €200,000.”

A prayer vigil will be held for Shane Geoghegan tomorrow night at St Joseph’s church at 8pm.