Author: Paul Reynolds
In a major crackdown on organized crime, the Criminal Assets Bureau has seized multiple properties in the past few weeks, bringing the total to five houses taken in the last two weeks and twenty-four in the past year. The latest seizure includes a farmhouse, stables, and farmland in Laois and Clare belonging to a member of a feuding crime gang. The property was used for illegal sulky races to launder money through gambling and horse sales. In a separate operation, another house in Portlaoise was seized from Mary Cash, linked to a notorious burglary gang. The High Court found the…
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is leading an investigation into whether the historical abuse of children by religious orders was orchestrated by paedophile rings. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau is coordinating efforts to identify convicted sex offenders involved in the crimes. Commissioner Harris emphasized the need for victims and witnesses to come forward and help uncover the truth. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee condemned the abuse as barbaric and stressed the importance of justice for survivors. She called on religious orders to take responsibility and contribute to a redress scheme promptly. Retired Catholic Archbishop Diarmuid Martin echoed the need for…
The head of An Garda Síochána’s Security and Intelligence Bureau has raised concerns about espionage activities in Ireland, with a particular focus on Russia. Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn highlighted the efforts of hostile states to support extremist groups and undermine trust in the government, as well as steal secrets from the state and industry. The Security and Intelligence Bureau is closely monitoring suspected spies in the country and collaborating with European intelligence agencies to manage the entry and exit of these individuals. The rise of Islamist extremist groups, such as ISIS-K, has also prompted increased surveillance efforts by the gardaí.…
A Tale of Time and Redemption: The Haunting Past of Jason O’Connor Jason ‘Jay’ O’Connor of Whitestown Grove in Blanchardstown, Ireland, found himself entangled in a web of crime and violence, spurred by a tragic event that haunted him for years. A man haunted by the death of his innocent friend, who was shot dead in his car in a case of mistaken identity, O’Connor admitted to conspiring to murder another man seven-and-a-half years ago. O’Connor was consumed by grief and a thirst for revenge after his friend’s death, leading him down a dark path of crime. The Special Criminal…
An arson attack on the home of a prison officer in Co Meath is currently under investigation. The officer, who is involved in targeting organized crime in prisons, had a window broken and a flammable liquid or petrol bomb thrown into his home. Thankfully, no injuries were reported as the officer and his wife were present during the attack. Police suspect the attack may be connected to the officer’s work, particularly after a significant figure in an organized crime gang was recently found with drugs and transferred to another prison unit. The Prison Officers’ Association has strongly condemned the attack…
Two Dublin men recently faced court charges related to organized crime, following their arrest by gardaí from Coolock and Raheny. Douglas ‘Dougie’ Purcell, 42, residing in Newtown Court Campsite in Belcamp, stands accused of serious offenses for a criminal organization, including demanding money with menaces and making threats to kill. Despite being granted bail, he must adhere to strict conditions such as regular sign-ins at Raheny Garda Station, providing a mobile phone number to authorities, and avoiding contact with specific individuals and locations. Martin Purcell, 20, who also lives at Newtown Court Campsite in Belcamp, was charged with committing a…
The Government has once again opened applications for the position of Garda Deputy Commissioner, the second highest role in An Garda Síochána, after struggling to fill it since last year. The Deputy Commissioner is tasked with overseeing frontline policing, including tackling organized crime, terrorism, and other serious offenses. Last year, none of the current senior officers applied for the position due to concerns about potential tax implications. A review was initiated by the Minister for Finance to address these financial issues, the recommendations of which have not yet been made public. The search is on for a candidate with significant…
Two men, Mark McCourt and Conor O’Brian, recently appeared in court in connection with the seizure of 18 firearms and over 900 rounds of ammunition in Co Louth. The arrests were made by officers from the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, who presented evidence of arrest charge and caution. Mark McCourt, 33, from Edencrieve in Co Down, and Conor O’Brian, 27, from Kilpatrick, Ardee in Co Louth, faced a total of 23 charges each related to components that make up six AR15 rifles and 12 semi-automatic rifles. The alleged offences took place at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee. Both men…
Men in Court for Seizure of Firearms and Ammunition in Co Louth Two men, Mark McCourt and Conor O’ Brian, recently appeared in court following the seizure of 18 firearms and over 900 rounds of ammunition in Co Louth. The men were brought before Dublin District Court by officers from the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. Arrest charge evidence was presented by Detective Garda Michael Ormond, stating that both men were arrested and made no reply to the 23 charges. The charges are related to components for AR15 rifles and semi-automatic rifles, allegedly from an address in Ardee. Both…
A chilling and disturbing case has unfolded in the Central Criminal Court, where a teenager confessed to the murder of Lorna Woodnutt in a horrifying manner. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, shocked authorities when he posted a video of the murder on Snapchat as a way to alert the police about his gruesome crime. The video, which was viewed by over 100 of his contacts, displayed the aftermath of the murder scene, with bloodstained weapons and a lifeless body. The victim, a 51-year-old laboratory technician, had been brutally attacked with a sledgehammer, lump hammer, and…