GARDAí in Limerick are bracing themselves for violence between feuding gangs following an incident where the girlfriend of a man whose family is involved in the feud was tied up in her home and had a gun put to her head.

The criminals forced the woman to phone her boyfriend Kieran Keane jnr (19) and gang leader Christy Keane to try and lure them back to the house. This was the same modus operandi used by five members of the McCarthy-Dundon gang to murder Kieran Keane snr in 2003.

On Thursday night, two members of the McCarthy-Dundon gang went to the home of Kieran Keane jnr in South Claughaun, Garryowen, planning to shoot him dead. Wayne Dundon (31), the leader of the McCarthy-Dundon gang, gave the order to shoot Keane jnr and Christy Keane dead. Dundon has been living abroad because of sustained pressure on his gang by gardaí but returned to Limerick last week to attend a funeral.

Dundon's two associates forcibly entered Keane jnr's home, but when they discovered he was not there, they tied up his girlfriend – an innocent woman – and put a gun to her head. A source said the woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal before they left. Keane jnr later returned and discovered his distraught girlfriend tied up. Gardaí became aware of the incident because they heard a commotion after she was set free.

The Keane-Collopy gang are involved in a long-running, bloody feud with the McCarthy-Dundons. The incident has enraged members of the Keane-Collopy gang, who are understood to have expressed anger than an innocent woman would be targeted. Detectives say there will be retaliation and fear this incident may reignite the feud, which has been kept under relative control in the past 18 months because many involved are now imprisoned while others have left Ireland.

The Keane-Collopy gang has been increasing in power in recent months because of the mass exodus of many of the McCarthy-Dundons. Detectives say that the Keanes will not take this incident lightly and will now be intent on seeking revenge.

Kieran Keane jnr, of Greenhills Road in Garryowen, was last year charged with affray and with threatening to use violence. He has already survived one attempt on his life: in 2005, when he was just 15, he was shot.

Meanwhile, gardaí are investigating whether a man due to be sentenced on Friday on drugs charges had an associate deliberately shoot him to escape court. The man's partner is due to imminently give birth. Liam 'Baby' Kelly (22), with addresses at Cosgrave Park, Moyross and Lower Park, Corbally, in Limerick, was due to be sentenced at Limerick Circuit Court but a doctor told the court he could not attend because of sustained injuries from being shot the previous night. His injuries are not serious. Judge Carroll Moran adjourned the sentencing hearing until next Tuesday.