As RTE prepares to broadcast a special programme examining the background to Limericks notorious feud a prominent member of the clergy has offered to act as a mediator between the citys feuding factions.

Former Southill Priest Fr Joe Young has offered to intervene in the hope of ending the violence which has resulted in at least eight murders since 2000.

One episode in the Feud series, which has been produced by Independent Pictures, will feature analysis and re-enactments of key moments in Limericks feud.

The programme was due to be broadcast next Monday but RTE says it will now be broadcast at a later date. A reason was not given by the state broadcaster but it is believed to have been on foot of legal advice.

Father Joe Young insists that those involved have nothing to lose by meeting him.

I would like to be a mediator for all the feuding gangs. At this stage and point in time it only makes common sense.

Watching the first few programmes of the Feud programme on television I felt that it would be better to talk then shoot, said Fr Young, who worked for many years as curate in Southill.

Limerick City

He said that walking through local graveyards and seeing how many young people have died from violence spurred him to take some action. This week, Fr Young visited Mount St Oliver clutching a bunch of flowers for the many young friends buried there.

The dead don't smell flowers. This is for all the young people who have been buried there over the past 25 years, he added.

Fr Young said that he has been saddened talking to mothers who have lost their sons and relations as a result of the gangland wars.

"I am opening my arms to all sides of the feud to meet me individually and privately and see where we can take it from there," said Fr Young.

"There are moments in time when we have to take extraordinary measures to make sure we can make a difference," he added.

Fr Joe Young is best known in Limerick for his work with young people in the parish of Southill where he was based for 20 years.