Author: Paul Reynolds
Today, we mourn the sudden loss of former Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, a dedicated member of An Garda Síochána who made a significant impact in fighting transnational organized crime. Throughout his 41-year career, O’Driscoll led various units, including the Special Crimes Operations and the Garda National Immigration Bureau. His efforts in building international partnerships with law enforcement agencies resulted in the establishment of a $15m fund to target crime groups like the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. His legacy includes leading investigations in challenging cases, such as the container tragedy in Rosslare, which led to a successful prosecution in Belgium. Minister…
Latest Crime Figures Show Increase in Burglary, Robbery, and Theft Offences New data released by the Central Statistics Office reveals a concerning rise in burglary, robbery, and theft offences. The figures also show a significant increase in fraud offences, while homicide and sex offences have seen a decrease. Operation Tairge was established by Gardaí to combat organised retail crime, but despite arrests and court appearances, the problem continues to escalate. Notably, theft offences have surged by 8%, with shoplifting and retail theft accounting for over 5,300 of the reported crimes. Robbery and burglary have also seen increases of 8% and…
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, has revealed that a working group focused on accelerating garda recruitment is set to release its findings in the upcoming weeks. With a goal of reaching over 15,000 members, McEntee emphasized the need for a “radical change” in the recruitment process to better align with current lifestyle patterns. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is exploring various options to increase recruitment, including the possibility of establishing new satellite training colleges in addition to the existing Templemore College. Direct recruitment of specialists in areas like cyber and economic crime is also being considered. Meanwhile, the introduction of…
Senior Garda officers have voiced strong criticism against the new Operating Policing Model implemented by the Garda Commissioner, citing a loss of connections with local communities and staff they oversee. The Garda Superintendents, advocating for an increase in their ranks, denounce the current economic restrictions as inadequate. This issue is under discussion at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Superintendents in Co Meath, with Commissioner and Minister for Justice set to address the gathering. Superintendents, being the frontline leaders of An Garda Síochána, have navigated challenging situations such as city riots, emphasizing the strains of modern-day policing. The…
Senior gardaí are expressing dissatisfaction with the Government’s response to a report recommending changes to their pension schemes. The Butler report highlighted financial issues hindering their promotion prospects due to potential hefty tax bills upon higher rank appointments. Minister for Finance Jack Chambers announced phased increases in the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) starting in 2026, but senior officers question the delayed implementation and the refusal to revise pension valuation multipliers. Accusing the Government of postponing solutions, Assistant Commissioners and Chief Superintendents fear the impact on their future. Some had applied for promotions with promises of resolving the pension issue before…
Gardaí have made a major breakthrough in the fight against crime, seizing 42 ‘Ghost’ encrypted devices and disrupting an international criminal network. This operation, called ‘Operation Kraken’, involved law enforcement agencies from around the world, including the FBI and the Australian Federal Police. As a result of the investigation, over €15 million worth of drugs and €350,000 in cash were seized, along with numerous electronic devices and cryptocurrency. A total of 11 people have been arrested so far, with more arrests expected in the coming days. The success of Operation Kraken has dismantled the Ghost system, a platform used by…
A major criminal investigation has been launched by Gardaí into Irish criminals using an encrypted communication platform that has been infiltrated by international law enforcement agencies. As part of the investigation, searches have been conducted, encrypted devices recovered, and millions of Euro worth of drugs seized in an operation targeting high-risk criminal organizations. The operation, known as ‘Operation Kraken’, involved the FBI, Australian Federal Police, Canadian Mounted Police, French National Gendarmerie, and gardaí. Other authorities from Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden were also involved. The encrypted communication system, ‘Ghost’, was set up by a 32-year-old Sydney man nine years…
If you thought drug trafficking was a thing of the past, think again. In a recent bust, Gardaí have dismantled a major international drug trafficking route and arrested key figures in the operation. What did they find? Over 100kg of cocaine worth a whopping €6 million. The operation led by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau involved over 100 officers from different units all over the country, now that’s teamwork! The drugs were being trafficked by a west Dublin-based organised crime group, part of ‘the family’. This family-based gang is known for trafficking millions of euro worth of heroin…
Gardaí and Revenue Commissioners are seeing a surge in drug seizures at Dublin Airport, with over three million euro worth of cocaine and cannabis confiscated in the last two weeks. Eight individuals have been arrested in connection to these seizures, highlighting Ireland’s growing problem with drug trafficking. It is noted that South American cartels and Asian criminal groups are increasingly targeting Ireland as a market for drugs like cannabis and cocaine. Those caught smuggling drugs are often desperate individuals from poverty-stricken areas, willing to risk their lives for as little as €1,000 per trip. Some are found with up to…
The underworld in Dublin is mourning the loss of a patriarchal figure in organised crime, James Byrne, who passed away in hospital. Known for his associations with the Kinahan organised crime group, Byrne was the father of Liam Byrne, the notorious leader of the Byrne crime group. His other son, David Byrne, was tragically killed in a feud that escalated the ongoing violence between rival criminal organizations. Despite his criminal history and past convictions, Byrne lived a lavish lifestyle with properties and a mortgage-free home. He was a target of the Criminal Assets Bureau and was involved in money laundering…