Violent robber was out on bail during spree

Freed despite series of rape allegations

ONE of Ireland’s most dangerous criminals – who has more than 35 convictions – was granted bail despite numerous instances of alleged rape against two women, the Irish Daily Mail can reveal.

The Dublin criminal, who is in his 60s, was out on bail for alleged rape when he carried out a series of robberies in different counties, the Mail has learned.

The man – described as ‘one of Ireland’s most dangerous men’ – is now finally behind bars after being denied bail. The criminal from south Dublin, is one of Operation Thor’s main targets. Operation Thor targets criminal gangs carrying out robberies nationwide.

While out on bail for the alleged rape of two different women on two occasions, the Garda target was arrested and charged in relation to a multitude of burglaries all over Ireland. He has now been charged with three separate instances of a series of burglaries and robberies.

The criminal, a member of the Travelling community, has been the subject of numerous Garda alerts, such is his significance as ‘a dangerous organised criminal’, according to a source. Gardaí have intelligence linking him to ‘violent attacks on the elderly’ and other robberies ‘including sexual assaults and rapes’.

A senior source explained: ‘The rape charges are serious and involve separate instances.

‘This man – who gardaí regard as one of Ireland’s most dangerous criminals – was granted bail and allowed out despite Garda objections. He then proceeded to carry out a series of burglaries and robberies. He’s now charged in three separate courts all over the land over various crimes.

‘This man is Operation Thor target No.1. He leads a gang of thugs who are running rampage all over the country.

‘No-one wants their home to be targeted by thieves. But this man, he is the last person anyone needs breaking into their house.

‘Gardaí have genuine concerns he would attack and rape people during break-ins.

‘The gang he leads are influ- enced by him heavily. That’s the worry. He is instrumental in a family-based gang of dangerous criminals.

‘He is now behind bars and he won’t be let out until his various criminal trials conclude. He should not have been on the streets anyway.’

It is understood that the suspect’s convictions, numbering over 35, relate to robberies overseas as well as in Ireland.

The Mail recently revealed that a Dublin car dealership is under Garda investigation for selling cars with false ownership details to the gang led by this criminal.

Gardaí have quizzed the owners of the dealership about how wellknown criminals were registered under false names as the owners of the cars.

An Garda Síochána are currently battling to contain at least six major burglary gangs who utilise the roads network to target people in rural Ireland in often violent burglaries. Comment – Page 12 ali.bracken@dailymail.ie

One of Ireland’s most dangerous ‘He should not have been out’