Episode 290: Mexico's narco state - corruption, guns and the Fentanyl crisis
27 May 2023 - 51 minsMexican based author Ioan Grillo has worked as a crime journalist for more than 20 years in a country that is a true narco state.
Over two decades interviewing drug users, hitmen, cartel bosses and the politicians who take their money, Grillo has formed a unique view on the war on drugs and all the issues around it’s failings.
As a new edition of his book Blood Gun Money is published. Ioan is talking to Nicola and Niall Donald about fentanyl, a lethal iron river of firearms and a senior politician in the dock in a most unusual trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kinahan hitman moved to new prison wing after ‘clash of personalities’ with volatile killer
Kinahan hitman Trevor Byrne has been moved from his wing in Portlaoise Prison after officers feared killer Warren Dumbrell had a hit on him. Dumbrell and Byrne were both serving time in the prison’s A block when they had what sources say is a ‘clash of personalities’. Nicola talks to Niall Donald in this episode unlocked from crimeworld.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20 mins
26 March Finished
Spanish cops arrest over British man over murder of suspect in John George killing
A man has been arrested by Spanish cops investigating the murder of a suspect in the death of Belfast man John George. Czech national Michael Maly was one of two suspects for the murder of George when he was gunned down on the Costa Blanca earlier this month. Now, a British national is being questioned about the shooting. Meanwhile Johnny Smyth, the second suspect in the George murder, has been arrested after guns were found in a vehicle and an apartment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18 mins
26 March Finished
Hennessy torture gang jailed - did they get off lightly?
Five members of the violent Henessy gang were sentenced today at the Special Criminal Court for the terrifying torture ordeal victim Barry Moore faced as he was branded with a cattle iron, beaten and stabbed. But was justice done or did the Hennessy’s beat the system? Nicola and Niall were there to hear how soon they will be back on the streets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 10 mins
26 March Finished
Why one family's Celtic Tiger dream home was demolished in a day
It was a massive dream home built over 500 square metres and complete with landscaped gardens and car ports. But now all that is left is the original field that couple Rose and Chris Murray bought to build a house without planning raised to the ground in recent weeks after a 20 year court battle to retain it. Nicola speaks with journalist Amy Molloy about an extraordinary story of boom and bust for a Celtic Tiger couple. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
37 mins
25 March Finished
Fears for Tadgh Farrell's grand-uncle ‘Crunchie’ after latest blaze strikes arson home
A body has been found following a fire at the same Co Offaly home where a four year old boy Tadhg Farrell and his great-aunt Mary Holt died in an arson attack in December 2025. Gardaí have so far said the body of an adult man has been discovered and locals are looking for a relative of the family who had been living rough at the house and using candles as there was no electricity working. Nicola talks to Niall about what we know so far about the incident. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18 mins
24 March Finished
Stephen McCullagh found guilty of murdering Natalie McNally
Stephen McCullagh has been found guilty of murdering Lurgan woman Natalie McNally. The jury unanimously convicted 36-year-old McCullagh, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, of killing the 32-year-old mother to be in December 2022. The four-week trial heard how McCullagh murdered Ms McNally after setting up a “false alibi” that he was livestreaming a video gaming session on YouTube. McCullagh has been given a life-sentence. Our sister podcast the Bel Tel are covering the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 mins
24 March Finished