Peace talks between feuding Limerick criminals are ongoing and it is understood the agency brought in to regenerate the crime-ridden areas of the city has played a key role in mediation.

Brendan Kenny, head of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, said the agency had been talking to people "behind the scenes". He said he was aware "of other talks going on" between some of the members of the feuding McCarthy-Dundon and the Keane-Collopy gangs.

"If there were meetings between them and we were asked to attend, we would," he said.

A spokeswoman for Willie O'Dea, who several years ago was involved in mediation attempts between the Limerick criminals, said: "Willie O'Dea is aware of the current situation of talks but he was not approached to be involved," she said.

It is understood gardaí are not involved in the current talks and neither are any local politicians. "I haven't been involved in any way in mediation talks nor have I been informed they are going on," independent councillor and mayor of Limerick John Gilligan told the Sunday Tribune. "I am sick of f**king hearing about this and the slant the media has been putting on it. I would have heard about it if any other politicians had been approached about this."

Some of the meetings between the criminals are understood to have been held at the city centre Clarion Hotel. Sources say a person linked to the regeneration agency met with members of the Dundon and Collopy gangs separately before finalising a face-to-face meeting between both sides. More meetings are now expected to take place.