Steven Collins, father of innocent murder victim Roy Collins, is pleading to the people of Limerick to come out in support for crime victims and against the Limerick gangs.

He said that it's time Limerick made a change.

Coinciding with Roy's month mind this Sunday May 10, which takes place at 10 o'clock at St Johns Cathedral, there will be a peace march throughout Limerick city, beginning at Pery Square at 3pm before making its way to City Hall where a number of speakers including Mayor John Gilligan and Bishop Donal Murray will address the crowds.

Members of the public who take part in the march are being encouraged to wear red to mark the occasion.

Steven said that the purpose of this march is to put pressure on Limerick politicians to make changes to the gang land laws and to stand up for the innocent crime victims in Limerick.

"I don’t want my son to die in vain," he said.

" This could have happened to any parent in Limerick, this could have come knocking at anyone's door... innocent people have been affected".

With constant negative coverage about Limerick, the Collins family want to finally show the positive side of the city.

"It's important that people take this seriously, no event like this has happened in a long, long time and we need people on the streets to show the Government that we're serious about wanting change," said Stephen.

Mayor John Gilligan said the March would allow ordinary decent people to make a statement against gangland criminals.

"This is not just a Limerick problem, this is a nationwide problem and as a nation, this is something that we all have to face up to.

We can't allow people who care nothing for human life to continue like this, we're not getting to grips with this and one more killing is one too many," he said.

Roy Collins

Defence Minister Willie O'Dea is expected to attend the march along with TDs and councillors from all parties.

Labour's Jan O'Sullivan said: "I wish to salute the courage of Steve Collins and his family at a time of terrible grief for them. It is important that the people of Limerick and public representatives stand four square behind Steve and all those who have been subjected to fear and intimidation by criminals."

Since the murder of Shane Geoghegan last November and the killing of Roy Collins last month gardai have also come under considerable pressure to clamp down on the activities of criminal elements in the city.

Recent search operations have been headed up by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Ludlow and last week Commissioner Fachtna Murphy insisted that gardai would prevail over what, he described as 'thuggery' in Limerick.