Crime World

***This episode was originally published in November 2021***When killer Joe O’Reilly bludgeoned his wife Rachel to death at their home in the Naul, Co Dublin, in October 2004 he thought he’d get away with murder.But years after he was convicted to a life sentence for his horrific crime, nobody could have expected that the former advertising executive - who is yet again to be the subject of a new documentary to be screened on RTE - would continue to fascinate the publicSo what is it about Ordinary Joe and his plot to kill seventeen years ago that is rarely far from the headlines? Why do people still want answers to his awful crime?Nicola Tallant talks to journalist Jenny Friel, whose book 'The Suspect' is the definitive account of murder in the Naul. She tells me about her extraordinary meetings with the killer as he protested his innocence, the gruesome murder tours he took her on in his home and how his tall tales and desire for recognition eventually backfired on him in spectacular fashion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carl Frampton has defended his involvement with MTK boxing promotions, the company founded by Daniel Kinahan.The boxer says he has no regrets and enjoyed a life changing pay day after signing up in 2017.But is Frampton being tone deaf when it comes to Kinahan and the dirty funds washed through boxing? Should he recognise that he was inadvertently in bed with the bad guys or is he right to brazen it out as he has?Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about the Late Late Show interview, Frampton’s snubs to the ‘gutter press’ and his unpleasant show of bitterness to his former manager Barry McGuigan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A hitman desperate to become part of the Kinahan organisation tried to kill The Monk’s brother John and another relative to pay off a drug debt and ingratiate himself in the mob.Michael Carroll got 22 years in prison this week for the ruthless assassination attempts, one of which was caught on CCTV, despite pleading guilty to his crimes.Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about the tragic death of John Hutch who family and friends blame on the Kinahan organisation and the paranoid existence he was forced to lead in the run up to it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A notorious burglary gang headed up by the son of ‘Fat’ Andy Connors have been nabbed again after they were caught with a car load of burglary tools.John Connors who featured on the UK’s crime watch show was arrested with Thomas Wall who both now face more time in prison after their latest run in with police.But how do Irish burglary gangs like Connors outfit remain in business given their reputation and prolonged targeting by Gardai? Are they simply moving jurisdictions in order to stay one step ahead of the law? How do they target households and how quickly can they get in and out with your jewels?Nicola speaks with Eamon Dillon about burglary gangs, crime statistics and why gangland murder rates have dropped. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A €500 million cocaine haul on the Waterford Cork coast involving army rangers, customs, Gardai, the Naval Service and Air Corps.The Kinahan cartel and Iranian links to Hezbollah form key parts of the investigation.But what does the hidden haul on the mothership MV Matthew really tell us about the cocaine industry and what people are willing to do to transport it?Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about high drama in Irish waters and those who have come a cropper before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Veteran criminal Dean Russell says he is no longer involved in anything more than community work and that he’s now an innocent man.But this week the Criminal Assets Bureau are putting his house up for sale with a euro 300k price tag after he handed them the keys following an 11 year battle against a proceeds of crime case.So who will buy the four bed semi detached which auctioneers say is a bargain.Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about Russell and what the courts say is his deep and prolonged history with criminality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**This episode was first published in January 2023**He was the notorious Cosa Nostra boss who lived in hiding for 30 years and who was responsible for terrorist atrocities against Italy. Matteo Messina Denaro was amongst a group of violent mafia bosses who hit back at Italian magistrates, their families and body guards with lethal bomb attacks during the early 1990s when the brave judges took on the notorious criminal organisation.For decades, he was hunted to no avail, but this month he was dramatically arrested in Palermo as he made his way to a cancer clinic.So who is Denaro and what is the significance of his arrest for the people of Sicily and southern Italy?Nicola Tallant chats with Dr Anna Sergi, a Professor of criminology and organised crime at the University of Essex, the author of a number of books about the mob, including her latest 'Chasing the Mafia'.She describes Denaro's background, his violent life, his incredible capture and the secrets he may take to his grave. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rival gangs in Limerick’s lethal underworld feud dealt with a ‘Board of Governors’ of criminal businessman to launder their cash and make deals.Nicola speaks with journalist Eamon Dillon about the massive secret Garda investigation into the city’s gangland network which has laid bare how - in the underworld - when it comes to money - rivalry doesn’t matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An arson attack on an innocent family home, two sworn enemies locked in a bitter feud and fears that tensions will escalate.Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about the fire in a Clondalkin house in Dublin linked to the 10 year row between gangland hot head Nellie Walsh and jailed Kinahan lieutenant Peadar Keating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She is the glamorous wife of caged Sinaloa Cartel boss Joachim El Chapo Guzman and the mother of their two kids and she has just been freed from jail to start her new life without him. Emma Coronel Aispuro sat loyally by his side as her husband was jailed in the US and condemned to a supermax prison for the rest of his life for a litany of violent drug crime and trafficking and a horrendous murder count.So what will the 31 year old do now she is all alone in Los Angeles after serving two years for helping El Chapo distribute billions of dollars worth of drugs in America? Should she have served a longer sentence or was she just a headline for US authorities in their war on drugs?Nicola speaks to journalist and author Douglas Century whose best selling book Hunting El Chapo traces the life of the most famous narco in the world.He tells me about the former beauty queen and how she will now have to cash in on her famous name if she wants the luxury lifestyle she once had. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.