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The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Cops probe €157m MV Matthew drug ship as 20-nation coke plot gang with Kinahan links exposed & Irish mobsters identified
CRIMINALS from 20 countries were backing the venture to bring 2.2 tonnes of cocaine into Europe on the MV Matthew, The Irish Sun on Sunday can reveal. Det Supt Joe O'Reilly has told how various gangs were behind the 4 The venture to bring 2.2-tons of cocaine into Europe on the MV Matthew was backed by criminals from 20 countries Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 4 Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly revealed various gangs were behind the drug plot Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Eight men were jailed last week for between 13.5 and 20 years for their part in trying to smuggle €157 million worth of coke. It was the largest seizure of the party drug in Irish The haul was seized following a joint Garda, Customs and Defence Forces op in September 2023. The READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS The drugs plot also involved the Gardai have now moved on to the next stages of their major probe into the shipment as they continue to work with police forces globally. A number of the men involved in the smuggling op, but still at large, were in cells higher up the chain and more protected than those already Explaining the structures in place for this venture, Det Supt O'Reilly, of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said: 'What we've seen in our investigations and in particular the MV Matthew investigation is that there's a cellular structure that is international. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN 'They operate in a structure that one area will look at finance, one will be involved in procurement, logistics, landing the cocaine, moving the cocaine. Ross 'Miami' McGill targeted in Dubai bust-up by coke hood furious over gang war 'So it's not just one nationality or one group that's involved in these major shipments. 'All these shipments are transnational in the development and the delivery of their product onto a jurisdiction in Europe or elsewhere. 'So these investigations are global. This particular investigation into the MV Matthew has led us to 20 different countries where criminals operating in those countries supported this venture of bringing cocaine into the shores of Ireland.' We have learned that detectives have identified a number of Irish men involved in the plot. Transnational organised crime groups know no borders, they prey on people's vulnerability for their own financial gain." Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime Angela Willis One includes a man who helped acquire the second ship that was meant to meet the MV Matthew to transfer the He also issued the two men in charge of this 'sistership' with instructions. But it's understood he fled to Others at large include a man who used the pseudonym 'Captain Noah', who issued directions on messaging apps and oversaw the plot from Dubai. Det Supt O'Reilly told the Garda Podcast: 'It's important to realise transnational organised criminal gangs have no legal jurisdiction or moral boundaries and their only intent is making profit at any cost, whether that's financial or human.' Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime Angela Willis said the major probe shows the State's commitment to tackle organised crime. The top cop said: 'Transnational organised crime groups know no borders, they prey on people's vulnerability for their own financial gain." 4 Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis said the probe shows the State's commitment to tackle organised crime Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 4 It was the largest-ever drugs haul in Irish history Credit: Copyright remains with handout provider
Leader Live
04-07-2025
- Leader Live
Eight men jailed for involvement in Ireland's largest ever drugs haul
They received sentences varying in length from 13 and a half years to 20 years for their involvement. More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth around 157 million euro (£132 million) was found aboard the MV Matthew after the ship was stormed by Irish troops in September 2023. The drugs were seized after the Irish Army Ranger Wing boarded the vessel in a daring operation conducted while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine as part of a massive drug trafficking operation. Six of the men arrested on board the MV Matthew all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023. At sentencing on Friday, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, received a sentence of 20 years, while the second officer, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, received a sentence of 18 years. The captain of the vessel, Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 51, received 17 and a half years in prison. Ukrainian nationals Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, received a 16-and-a-half-year sentence and Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, received 14 years' imprisonment. Saeid Hassani, 40, who was the third officer, received a 15-year sentence. Two other men, who were on the boat the Castlemore that had been purchased in Castletownbere to collect drugs from the main vessel, were also sentenced for attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, received a sentence of 14 and a half years. Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, received a sentence of 13 and a half years in prison. Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly from An Garda Siochana said the sentences provide a 'clear message' that Ireland is 'not a soft target' for international organised crime networkers. 'To those involved in drug trafficking, the message is clear that the full force of the Irish state, supported by our international partners, is against you,' he told reporters outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. 'The reality facing you is security interdictions, special investigations, the Special Criminal Court, lengthy sentences and asset seizure. 'Transnational organised crime gangs cause misery to communities, not only in Ireland but throughout the world. Tackling these gangs not only makes Ireland safer but all the other countries that they operate in as well.' Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly noted the work of the joint task force, which includes An Garda Siochana, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service supported by other arms of the Irish Defence Forces including the Army Ranger Wing and Air Corps.
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Eight men jailed for involvement in Ireland's largest ever drugs haul
They received sentences varying in length from 13 and a half years to 20 years for their involvement. More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth around 157 million euro (£132 million) was found aboard the MV Matthew after the ship was stormed by Irish troops in September 2023. The drugs were seized after the Irish Army Ranger Wing boarded the vessel in a daring operation conducted while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine as part of a massive drug trafficking operation. Six of the men arrested on board the MV Matthew all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023. At sentencing on Friday, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, received a sentence of 20 years, while the second officer, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, received a sentence of 18 years. The captain of the vessel, Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 51, received 17 and a half years in prison. Ukrainian nationals Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, received a 16-and-a-half-year sentence and Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, received 14 years' imprisonment. Saeid Hassani, 40, who was the third officer, received a 15-year sentence. Two other men, who were on the boat the Castlemore that had been purchased in Castletownbere to collect drugs from the main vessel, were also sentenced for attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, received a sentence of 14 and a half years. Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, received a sentence of 13 and a half years in prison. Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly from An Garda Siochana said the sentences provide a 'clear message' that Ireland is 'not a soft target' for international organised crime networkers. 'To those involved in drug trafficking, the message is clear that the full force of the Irish state, supported by our international partners, is against you,' he told reporters outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. 'The reality facing you is security interdictions, special investigations, the Special Criminal Court, lengthy sentences and asset seizure. 'Transnational organised crime gangs cause misery to communities, not only in Ireland but throughout the world. Tackling these gangs not only makes Ireland safer but all the other countries that they operate in as well.' Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly noted the work of the joint task force, which includes An Garda Siochana, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service supported by other arms of the Irish Defence Forces including the Army Ranger Wing and Air Corps.
Western Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
Eight men jailed for involvement in Ireland's largest ever drugs haul
They received sentences varying in length from 13 and a half years to 20 years for their involvement. More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth around 157 million euro (£132 million) was found aboard the MV Matthew after the ship was stormed by Irish troops in September 2023. The drugs were seized after the Irish Army Ranger Wing boarded the vessel in a daring operation conducted while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine as part of a massive drug trafficking operation. Six of the men arrested on board the MV Matthew all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023. At sentencing on Friday, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, received a sentence of 20 years, while the second officer, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, received a sentence of 18 years. The captain of the vessel, Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 51, received 17 and a half years in prison. Ukrainian nationals Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, received a 16-and-a-half-year sentence and Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, received 14 years' imprisonment. Saeid Hassani, 40, who was the third officer, received a 15-year sentence. Two other men, who were on the boat the Castlemore that had been purchased in Castletownbere to collect drugs from the main vessel, were also sentenced for attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, received a sentence of 14 and a half years. Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, received a sentence of 13 and a half years in prison. Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly from An Garda Siochana said the sentences provide a 'clear message' that Ireland is 'not a soft target' for international organised crime networkers. 'To those involved in drug trafficking, the message is clear that the full force of the Irish state, supported by our international partners, is against you,' he told reporters outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. 'The reality facing you is security interdictions, special investigations, the Special Criminal Court, lengthy sentences and asset seizure. 'Transnational organised crime gangs cause misery to communities, not only in Ireland but throughout the world. Tackling these gangs not only makes Ireland safer but all the other countries that they operate in as well.' Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly noted the work of the joint task force, which includes An Garda Siochana, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service supported by other arms of the Irish Defence Forces including the Army Ranger Wing and Air Corps.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
State's affordable housing body to deliver 328 new homes in South Dublin
The new apartments are located close to the award winning Shanganagh Castle Estate, where 597 new affordable purchase, cost rental and social homes have been developed by the LDA in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The new homes are being built in partnership with developer Castlethorn, through the LDA's 'Project Tosaigh' initiative. Project Tosaigh aims to provide a fair deal to renters struggling to pay private sector rents by unlocking land with full planning permission that is not being developed by private sector owners. It is a means to accelerate the supply of affordable housing, and the completed homes are then owned by the LDA and made available as cost rental, or sold by the LDA in partnership with local authorities through affordable purchase schemes. In Shankill, all of the 328 Woodbrook apartments will be made available as cost rental. This provides a secure, long term rental option with rents at least 25pc below market rates. Cost rental is designed to assist those who do not quality for social housing or other state housing supports, but who are struggling to afford to rent in the private market. The apartments are part of Castlethorn's Woodbrook development, which includes 685 homes and has the potential to deliver an additional 500 homes. The development will also feature excellent amenities including a creche, a primary school and neighbour centre, helping to create a vibrant and well-serviced community. The development will comprise two blocks over six storeys and are due to be completed by 2026. They are located beside Woodbrook Golf Club, featuring views of the course and the Dublin's coastline. They will also be in easy reach of the new Woodbrook Dart station, which is due to open this summer. In addition to Dart services, the area is located between Shankill and Bray, on a main bus route with easy access to the M11 and M50. Commenting on the plans, the chief executive of the LDA, John Coleman, said: 'This is a very welcome partnership between the LDA and Castlethorn. We are forward funding the development of 328 new cost rental homes in a prime location with excellent transport links, local amenities and facilities. "This is a highly accessible and attractive location for renters, and we are pleased to be working with an experienced delivery partner in Castlethorn to bring these homes to market by the end of 2026. These new homes will play an important role in addressing demand for affordable, secure rental accommodation in south Dublin.' Meanwhile, Castlethorn CEO Joe O'Reilly, said 'the proximity to the new Dart station, high-quality design, and inclusion of community facilities make this a highly attractive offering'. "We look forward to delivering these sustainable A-rated homes and helping to establish a new community that will thrive for generations to come,' he added.
