Latest news with #AndrewNoonan
Sunday World
19-05-2025
- Sunday World
Noonan turns soccer club into limited company as brother jailed for role in €2.7m drug haul
Former League of Ireland player and Bluebell United manager Andrew Noonan (45) was jailed for 13 and a half years this week Sean Noonan has taken over Bluebell United and turned it into a for-profit company The brother of convicted drug dealer Andrew Noonan has turned the Bluebell United club he managed from a non-profit organisation into a for-profit limited company in recent weeks. Former League of Ireland player and Bluebell United manager Andrew Noonan (45) was jailed for 13 and a half years this week in relation to his high-level role in a €2.769m heroin importation enterprise. At the time the heroin was seized, Andrew Noonan was the manager of Bluebell United. Andrew Noonan was previously arrested twice by gardai in relation to the shooting of innocent postman Robert Delany in 2008 but released without charge. Dad-of-two Robert was shot in the head in 2008, leaving him in a permanent vegetative state. Andrew Noonan was convicted of drug offences Mr Delany's father Terry led a public protest after Andrew Noonan was appointed manager of Bluebell United in 2011, highlighting how he was a suspect in his son's shooting. 'They wouldn't even correspond or deal with us when Andrew was managing and we were protesting,' Terry said this weekend. Andrew's jailing on Friday doesn't end the Noonan family's relationship with Bluebell United, a Dublin football club currently based near Clondalkin. Sean Noonan has taken over Bluebell United and turned it into a for-profit company News in 90 Seconds - May 19th In recent weeks Andrew's brother Sean, who was also quizzed by gardai over the shooting of Mr Delany and later released without charge, has taken over Bluebell United and turned it into a for-profit limited company, of which he is a director. Until his takeover, Bluebell United was a company limited by guarantee (CLG) which is a non-profit company normally used for organisations such as sports clubs and charities which are set up for a specific purpose such as to benefit the community. There are no shareholders in CLGs. Andrew Noonan in his playing days According to company documents, Sean Noonan is now the sole shareholder in Bluebell United AFC Ltd and one of two directors. A spokesperson for the FAI said it was at the discretion of Bluebell United and its former committee members if they decided to turn into a limited company. 'What a club does in terms of company law is its own decision. We don't have any recourse in that area. Their obligations are based upon company law.' The spokesperson said that the FAI has very little say in the day-to-day running of clubs but did run the FAI Club Mark scheme, which is a three-tiered accreditation award based on best practice in the governance, management and administration of a football club. The spokesperson said while Bluebell have applied, they have not yet met requirement in relation to best practice. 'They have engaged with the process but they haven't got approval. They haven't been successful with that as it currently stands,' the spokesperson said. Sean Noonan did not respond to requests for comment this week. Terry Delany leading a protest at a Bluebell United match He previously told the Sunday World he did not want to discuss Robert Delany's shooting. 'What's it to do with me? I don't have anything to say.' He added: 'We were questioned, not arrested. I was just one line of enquiry, no charges were ever brought.' He attended his brother's sentencing hearing on Friday along with other family members. Sean and Andrew's father John Noonan, an ex-IRA commander who was involved in the Concerned Parents Against Drugs protests decades ago, was also arrested after Mr Delany's shooting but later released without charge. The father of two was shot in the head when he looked out the window of his apartment in Tallaght, Dublin, in 2008. The innocent postman, who had no involvement in criminality, was targeted because of a minor exchange of words outside a pub. Terry Delany said he feels people should boycott Bluebell United due to the links to the Noonan family. 'I just hope that people look at Bluebell now. They make a lot of money and had a boxing tournament recently with loads at it. They also use the club for social functions. People should have a long hard look at Bluebell now and their relationship with the Noonans.' Innocent Robert Delany He said it was particularly ironic that Andrew Noonan was convicted of drugs offence, considering his father's past. 'When you go back on the history of the father and his involvement in Concerned Parents Against Drugs, it's a joke.' Another former Bluebell United player, Keith Quinn (36), was previously jailed over the same drugs haul as Andrew Noonan after pleading guilty and has since served his sentence. Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Noonan continues to protest his innocence over the drugs shipment. His solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law released a statement this weekend saying he will appeal the guilty verdict. 'Our client wants it put on record that he abhors drugs and anything to do with them. Andrew is a well-known sportsman and enjoys a stellar reputation in Irish league soccer both as a former player of note and more latterly as a manager with a series of clubs through out the country. 'He has helped many people with rehabilitation from addiction as well as influencing and touching the lives of many footballers down through the years. Put simply, drugs are anathema to his world of family and sport.' Noonan was caught after gardai posed as delivery men in a controlled delivery of the drugs to his co-accused Keith Quinn at Rosemount Business Park, Dublin 11, on August 5, 2020. Quinn contacted Noonan by phone after collecting the drugs before meeting up with him and moving the drugs. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that gardai believe Noonan had a supervisory role in relation to his co-accused Quinn and say Noonan's level in the overall context of the enterprise was 'high'. Noonan, with an address at Redhills Park, Ellistown, Co. Kildare, has prior convictions for road traffic offences, unauthorised possession of a firearm and possession of an air rifle in suspicious circumstances over 25 years ago.
BreakingNews.ie
17-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Former top football manager jailed over €2.7m heroin seizure
A former football manager and League of Ireland player has been jailed for 13.5 years in relation to his 'high' level role in a €2.769 million heroin importation enterprise. Andrew Noonan (45), former manager of Bluebell United, was caught after gardaí posed as delivery men in a controlled delivery of the drugs to his co-accused, Keith Quinn (36). Advertisement Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that gardaí believe Noonan had a supervisory role in relation to his co-accused Quinn and say Noonan's level in the overall context of the enterprise was 'high.' Quinn pleaded guilty in relation to his own role and received a seven and a half year sentence with the final three-and-a-half years suspended in 2021. This was later increased by the Court of Appeal to eight years imprisonment with 18 months suspended. He has since been released. Quinn, also a former professional footballer, of Monastery Gate Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin, gave defence evidence during Noonan's trial that Noonan had no responsibility for the drugs and that he had lied to Noonan about the parcel contents when he asked to use the office for storage. Quinn's sentence hearing heard how he became involved in the offence due to gambling debt and described how he was under pressure and was doing it to get himself out of debt. Advertisement Noonan, of Redhills Park, Ellistown, Co Kildare, was convicted earlier this month following a trial of three drugs offences in relation to the possession, sale and supply of the drugs at Rosemount Business Park, Dublin 11, on August 5th, 2020. He was also convicted of possession of a phone with an encrypted application, Enigma, giving rise to a reasonable inference that it was to be used in connection with a drug trafficking offence. He was acquitted of possession of a signal blocker. The court heard Noonan does not accept the verdict of the jury and denied any role in relation to the drugs. He said he was facilitating a friend in relation to the storage of equipment for a sick child. Noonan has prior convictions for road traffic offences, unauthorised possession of a firearm and possession of an air rifle in suspicious circumstances over 25 years ago. Advertisement Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Elma Sheahan said foremost in the court's mind in sentencing was the devastating harm caused by the drugs trade, which the court deals with on a daily basis. She said the value and quantity of the seizure were also critical factors. Judge Sheahan said at the time of this offending, Noonan was the manager of a soccer team and employed in a family business. She said he was in a position of trust and influence over young men. She said this did not sit easy and offends all society expects from an individual in such a role. The judge said she was taking into account the seriousness of the offence, the nature, value and quantity of the drugs and the role of the accused. Advertisement She noted in mitigation the testimonials, support of Noonan's family and friends, and his long history of employment. She noted the impact his incarceration would have on his children and family. The judge said his culpability and the gravity of his offending was in the higher range. She said Noonan actively engaged in this project and was committed to its success, motivated by financial gain. She noted in Quinn's case that his role was a 'cog' in the operation, and he was motivated by financial difficulty and fear. She said the court's view was that Noonan's role was one significantly higher on the ladder than Quinn. Judge Sheahan set a headline sentence of 15 years and, taking into account mitigation, imposed a sentence of 13.5 years. She said there was no basis to suspend any of the term. Advertisement Garda Redmond O'Leary of the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told John Berry SC, prosecuting, that in August 2020, British police authorities became suspicious of a package travelling through the UK. It was analysed and tested positive for heroin. A garda operation involving a controlled delivery was put in place, and the package was delivered to Quinn's workplace in the Dublin industrial estate by a garda posing as a UPS driver. Internal CCTV of the workplace showed Quinn taking out his phone and interacting with the package in what was later found to be a picture and text messages sent to Noonan. No suspicion attaches to Quinn's former workplace. Quinn placed the package in his car and was observed driving in convoy with another car, driven by Noonan, to another office in the estate. Quinn got out, placed the package in the office and then drove in convoy with Noonan to a coffee shop where gardaí intercepted them. Noonan was, at this stage, found in possession of the keys to the office where Quinn had placed the package. Three phones were also retrieved from Noonan's person and his car. Noonan denied any involvement with the drugs and told gardaí he was assisting Quinn with storing health equipment for his child. He said he had no involvement in the sale or supply of drugs. Gda O'Leary said the phones were analysed and Noonan was found to have the UPS unique tracking code for the package and had checked its location 27 times in the previous days. Messages between Quinn, Noonan and unknown others were also described to the court, asking about tracking and 'updates on breakfast.' Analysis of Noonan's phones also revealed various email addresses making inquiries of distribution and logistic companies about shipping from Spain and Holland. Noonan claimed he was engaged as a secret shopper testing the companies' customer service. During the trial, gardaí gave opinion evidence that references in the text messages to 'match balls' and 'boots' were prearranged terms or code for different amounts of drugs. The 'Enigma' application was installed on one of the phones seized but gardaí were unable to gain access to it. Source files suggested the last activity had been March 2020 and referred to 'Gaffer 79'. The court heard Noonan had referred to himself as gaffer on other devices and chats. Mark Lynam SC, defending, said up until the trial, Noonan had been in employment with a transport company where he had been working for the previous eight years. Counsel said Noonan had previously been a League of Ireland player and a manager at Bluebell United, as well as secretary of that club. He said one of Noonan's four children was a talented footballer with whom Noonan had often travelled in relation to his football career. He said as a result of this conviction, Noonan will no longer be there to assist and guide this child in what promises to be a glittering career. He submitted that the knock-on effect of the conviction on Noonan's family would be profound. Mr Lynam asked the court to take into account the references handed into court from friends and family members. He handed in a number of the references to the court but said they could have filled folders full of references as there were so many who wished to speak up for Noonan. Ireland Adult nappies used as 'cover load' for drugs worth... Read More Counsel said the references demonstrated his client has been a pillar in his family and community and is spoken of as a warm and empathic person. He said the letters outline that Noonan seeks to support, motivate and get the best out of people. The letters from Noonan's family speak of him as an incredible father, counsel said. Mr Lynam said the nature of the offences speaks for itself, with the value being a significant factor. He accepted Noonan could not be placed on the same level as Quinn who had pleaded guilty and that there was evidence from the trial showing Noonan had a role checking the delivery and liaising with Quinn. He said the offence was five years ago and Noonan has since moved on with his life and asked the court to have regard to that and the indicators of his good side. He said rehabilitation was not impossible and should be encouraged.
Sunday World
04-05-2025
- Sunday World
Dad's anger as soccer manager suspected of son's shooting is jailed over heroin haul
Andrew Noonan was nabbed with former football ace Keith Quinn with €2.7m drug shipment Robert Delany has been left in a permanent vegetative state after the shooting Former Bluebell United manager Andrew Noonan was found guilty of being in possession of €2.7m of heroin Terry Delany (far left) seeking justice for his son, Robert, who was shot twice in the head by a paid hitman The father of a postman left in a vegetative state after being shot in the head has said the footballing world has 'questions to answer' after a well-known manager's conviction for a massive drug haul. Andrew Noonan (45) spent this weekend in prison after being found guilty by a jury of possessing more than €2.7 million of heroin in west Dublin in August 2020. The huge haul of the lethal drug – a total of 22kg – was intercepted by gardaí after it arrived from Amsterdam into Ireland. When Noonan was arrested in connection with the drugs seizure he was the manager of Bluebell United and had previously led the club to the quarter finals of the 2017 FAI Cup. Ex-Bluebell United footballer Keith Quinn, who previously played for Sheffield United, Cork City and Shelbourne, was also arrested and given a seven-year sentence for his role in the drugs plot. However, Noonan's link to criminality should have come as no surprise to the club's hierarchy who hired him in 2011. Apartment The father of innocent postman Robert Delany led a public protest after Andrew Noonan was appointed manager of Bluebell United, highlighting how he was a suspect in his son's shooting. Terry Delany (far left) seeking justice for his son, Robert, who was shot twice in the head by a paid hitman Dad-of-two Robert was shot in the head when he looked out the window of his apartment in Tallaght, Dublin in 2008. The innocent postman, who has no involvement in criminality, was targeted because of a minor exchange of words outside a pub and remains in a permanent vegetative state to this day. Andrew Noonan – the son of ex-Provo godfather John Noonan – was twice arrested in connection with Robert's shooting but was never charged. Gardaí believe the shooting was carried out by notorious hitman Daniel Gaynor, who was paid €10k by associates of Noonan. Speaking to the Sunday World, Robert Delany's father, Terry, said Bluebell were aware of Noonan's past when he got the job. Former Bluebell United manager Andrew Noonan was found guilty of being in possession of €2.7m of heroin 'It was incredible that Bluebell United took him on as a manager. Noonan was hired by the club with the full knowledge that he had been arrested twice in connection with Robert's shooting.' He added: 'The footballing community has a lot of questions to answer about Andrew Noonan's involvement in the game.' Gardaí believe Robert Delany was shot by gun-for-hire Gaynor, who was hired following a confrontation outside a pub. Former Bluebell United manager Andrew Noonan Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 4th Gaynor was subsequently himself shot dead in 2010 by rival criminal Keith Wilson, a brother of Eric 'Lucky' Wilson. Robert, his partner and their two young daughters had been sleeping in the house when he heard a knock at their door. He was hit by a shotgun blast as he looked out an upstairs window, with 16 pellets lodging in his brain. He receives constant care and will never recover from his injuries. Andrew and his father John were arrested by detectives at separate houses in Tallaght and Kildare in September 2010. Former Bluebell United player Keith Quinn They were released without charge following questioning. While Andrew Noonan was never prosecuted in connection with Robert Delany's shooting, he had previously been convicted of firearms offences on two separate occasions. In June 2011, he was fined €2,000 after he was found guilty of unauthorised possession of an air gun. In 2000, he was jailed for a year after he was caught with a rifle, five founds of ammunition, a silencer and a telescopic lens in a field in Tallaght. Following his son's shooting, Terry Delany ran a tireless campaign to bring the men behind his son's attempted murder to justice and his family have offered a €20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of his attackers. He welcomed Noonan's conviction. 'Those drugs were destined for the streets of Tallaght where they could have lead to the deaths of many people. 'It's not going to make any difference to us on one level, it's not going to bring Robert back. 'But it's a welcome development when drug dealers – particularly heroin dealers – are taken off the streets. Robert Delany has been left in a permanent vegetative state after the shooting 'Robert has been left in a permanent vegetative state – they call it the living death. Robert's condition hasn't changed and nor will it. There's no hope. 'His two daughters have had to grow up without him in their lives, his youngest daughter was just a baby at the time. They've missed him being able to be a father to them.' He added: 'The Sunday World was the first to name Andrew Noonan in connection with Robert's shooting all those years ago. And the reality is that this weekend he is now behind bars.' This week, Judge Elma Sheahan remanded Noonan in custody for sentencing on May 16. During his co-accused Keith Quinn's trial, the court hear how he had received a package containing the heroin at his place of work in an industrial estate in west Dublin. Soon afterwards he met with another man and then delivered the package to a nearby address, the hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in April was told. Alan Quinn (41), the accused's older brother and a former footballer for the Irish national team, told the court that his brother had a good upbringing and none of the family have any convictions. Package Mr Quinn said he did not condone what his brother did, but did not think his brother 'is a bad lad'. He said he deserved a second chance. Detective Garda Liam Aherne gave evidence that in August 2020, police authorities in the UK became suspicious of a package travelling through the UK which had been sent from the Netherlands and had a final destination in Ireland. Det Gda Aherne said UK police opened the package and determined that it contained heroin before contacting the Gardaí. An operation was put in place to continue the delivery and a detective dressed in a UPS uniform delivered the package to the accused's work address.
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Former League of Ireland player, 45, guilty over €2.7m heroin smuggling operation after six week trial
A FORMER League of Ireland player has been found guilty over a €2,769,000 heroin smuggling operation. Andrew Noonan, 45, - a onetime manager of top Advertisement He was found guilty of possession with intent to supply 20 kilos of Noonan, who had pleaded not guilty, had been on bail during the trial but is now in custody. During a previous hearing, the court heard how the heroin was initially sent by air freight from Once there, it was identified by the Advertisement Read more in News The delivery was tested before it was confirmed it was heroin. The stash was then sent to an address before being seized by investigators under a 'controlled delivery'. He was also found guilty of possession of an article intended for use in connection with a drug trafficking offence contrary to section 183 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. This was a scanner blocker. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Noonan's conviction comes after former Irish professional During Quinn's trial, the court heard that he was a 'conduit' in the drug supply who was targeted to pay off a gambling debt. Quinn was also described as a 'cog' who provided an 'important part' in the distribution of drugs. Quinn had received an initial sentence of seven and a half years but the last three and a half were suspended. Advertisement 1 Andrew Noonan was found guilty over a heroin smuggling operation Credit: IrishPhotoDesk
