Latest news with #Kinahan-affiliated
Dublin Live
3 days ago
- Dublin Live
Dublin criminal outed as infamous 'Mr Flashy' could be back on streets by 2027
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Criminal Glen Ward is said to be 'happy' he has been outed as the infamous Mr Flashy as we reveal he could be back on the streets as early as 2027. Ward, 32, who has been named as the leader of the 'Gucci Gang' based in Finglas, North Dublin, is serving a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence in Portlaoise Prison. Two weeks ago, he was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence for violent disorder during a daylight melee against a rival gang. The media was not allowed to name him as 'Mr Flashy' over the years because he had only minor convictions. This was despite him being named in the High Court as the gangster and the leader of the Kinahan-affiliated 'Gucci Gang' during the €1.7 million CAB case against Kinahan's top lieutenant Ross Browning in 2022. But because he has now been convicted of gun charges in the Special Criminal Court and has no more charges before the courts, his street name and gang leadership role can be revealed. His younger brother Eric O'Driscoll, 23, was also convicted of the same gun charges and was handed a five-year term. They were jailed for possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which was fired from the back door of a Finglas home during a house party. They both pleaded guilty to that offence. One source told the Irish Mirror: 'Ward seems to be happy to have been outed as 'Mr Flashy' – it doesn't seem to bother him at all. 'For years, he couldn't be linked to being 'Mr Flashy' so now that it's out there, he seems to be fine about it all.' We can also reveal that Ward could be back on the streets as early as 2027. This is because he has been in custody since January last year and his sentence was backdated to include time spent in custody. Ward is also expected to get a quarter off on remission or good behaviour and this could bring his release date to 2027. One source said: 'It is likely it will be mid or near the end of 2027 that he will be released and back on the streets.' At his sentencing hearing two weeks ago, when he was given a suspended sentence for violent disorder, Ward's defence barrister told the court the gangster had previously worked as a mechanic – and 'hopes to get back to that' on his release. The court also heard he works out daily in the prison gym and 'is keeping his head down'. Gardai say the Gucci Gang were involved in street-level organised crime and drug dealing and had links to transnational organised crime groups at the highest levels. The High Court was told it got this name 'due to their penchant for designer clothes and jewellery'. The Chief CAB Officer said the gang has been involved in murderous feuds with rivals over control of the drugs trade and named its leader. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin crim outed as infamous 'Mr Flashy', and could be back on streets by 2027
Criminal Glen Ward is said to be 'happy' he has been outed as the infamous Mr Flashy as we reveal he could be back on the streets as early as 2027. Ward, 32, who has been named as the leader of the 'Gucci Gang' based in Finglas, North Dublin, is serving a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence in Portlaoise Prison. Two weeks ago, he was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence for violent disorder during a daylight melee against a rival gang. The media was not allowed to name him as 'Mr Flashy' over the years because he had only minor convictions. This was despite him being named in the High Court as the gangster and the leader of the Kinahan-affiliated 'Gucci Gang' during the €1.7 million CAB case against Kinahan's top lieutenant Ross Browning in 2022. But because he has now been convicted of gun charges in the Special Criminal Court and has no more charges before the courts, his street name and gang leadership role can be revealed. His younger brother Eric O'Driscoll, 23, was also convicted of the same gun charges and was handed a five-year term. They were jailed for possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which was fired from the back door of a Finglas home during a house party. They both pleaded guilty to that offence. One source told the Irish Mirror: 'Ward seems to be happy to have been outed as 'Mr Flashy' – it doesn't seem to bother him at all. 'For years, he couldn't be linked to being 'Mr Flashy' so now that it's out there, he seems to be fine about it all.' We can also reveal that Ward could be back on the streets as early as 2027. This is because he has been in custody since January last year and his sentence was backdated to include time spent in custody. Ward is also expected to get a quarter off on remission or good behaviour and this could bring his release date to 2027. One source said: 'It is likely it will be mid or near the end of 2027 that he will be released and back on the streets.' At his sentencing hearing two weeks ago, when he was given a suspended sentence for violent disorder, Ward's defence barrister told the court the gangster had previously worked as a mechanic – and 'hopes to get back to that' on his release. The court also heard he works out daily in the prison gym and 'is keeping his head down'. Gardai say the Gucci Gang were involved in street-level organised crime and drug dealing and had links to transnational organised crime groups at the highest levels. The High Court was told it got this name 'due to their penchant for designer clothes and jewellery'. The Chief CAB Officer said the gang has been involved in murderous feuds with rivals over control of the drugs trade and named its leader.
Dublin Live
19-05-2025
- Dublin Live
'Mr Flashy' Glen Ward to be sentenced this week after pleading guilty to violent disorder and endangerment
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A criminal known as 'Mr Flashy' - who was jailed over the possession of an AR-15 rifle - is due to be sentenced this week after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and endangerment. Glen Ward, who has been referred to as Mr Flashy and the leader of the 'Gucci Gang' during a recent High Court case, was arraigned at the beginning of May. We have learned that Ward, 32, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, May 2 where he entered a guilty plea to the charge of violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence at the Cardiffsbridge Road Deanstown Green junction in Finglas on August 9, 2022. A sentencing date of Wednesday, May 21 was pencilled in. His brother Eric O'Driscoll (23) has already entered a guilty plea to the same violent disorder offence and is also due to be sentenced on the same date. (Image: In a previous bail hearing in relation to the violent disorder charge, the district court heard that gardai had responded to reports of a group with knives and pitchforks, while there was mention of a firearm. Both brothers were jailed in the Special Criminal Court last month for possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which was fired from the back door of a Finglas home during a house party. They both pleaded guilty to that offence and Ward was sentenced to five and a half years while O'Driscoll was sentenced to five years. During that sentencing hearing, Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the firearm Ward used was powerful and capable of causing serious injury or death. She noted that gardai found the weapon alongside a "sizable cache" of ammunition. Video footage retrieved from a phone showed Ward, having already fired the gun, encouraging his younger brother Eric O'Driscoll to take and discharge the firearm, she added. Gardai discovered the rifle alongside a military submachine gun during a search of a house in Finglas in February 2022. Ms Justice Greally said that in June of that year, gardai responded to reports that shots had been fired at a taxi on the Tolka Valley Road. When they searched the taxi, they found a phone that they were later able to connect to O'Driscoll. Analysts discovered a video clip on the phone in which Ward could be seen pointing the AR-15 rifle towards the sky and firing. Ms Justice Greally said a number of young people were present and watching. Ward, she said, then handed the firearm to O'Driscoll, who fired three shots into the air. Ward was named in the High Court as the leader of the Kinahan-affiliated 'Gucci Gang,' during the €1.7m CAB case against Kinahan Organised Crime Gang's top lieutenant Ross Browning in 2022. Investigators established Ward's links to Browning as a "known associate" as well as a number of other associates including 'Fat' Freddie Thompson, who is serving life for the Hutch/Kinahan feud murder of Dathai Douglas. In an affidavit opened during the CAB case against Browning, a top detective gave details of the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang describing it as a "transnational organisation whose activities are not just murders, money laundering and controlled drugs but also involved in the importation of firearms into Ireland, the UK and Europe with a €1 billion worldwide network." Glen Ward was then named in an affidavit by another senior detective as "an active member of the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang who directs the 'Gucci Gang' from an address on Ratoath Road in Finglas." "That gang got this name due to their penchant for designer clothes and jewellery," the sworn affidavit stated. Details were given before the High Court of that property on Ratoath Road as "having bullet proof windows, a fortified door and pit bulls in the front garden to protect against garda searches of the property." The property underwent a number of attacks, the affidavit continued, with Ward being seen in the company of certain individuals including Caolan Smyth, a gunman for the Kinahan organised crime group. Smyth, 33, from Donore, Co Meath is serving 20 years in prison for shooting rival Hutch gang member James 'Mago' Gately five times on May 10, 2017. The sworn affidavit by the senior detective also stated that it is the detective's belief that Mr Ward "is engaged in the distribution of controlled drugs" in Dublin and wider regions. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
Irish Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Mr Flashy' to be sentenced this week after pleading guilty to violent disorder
A criminal known as 'Mr Flashy' - who was jailed over the possession of an AR-15 rifle - is due to be sentenced this week after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and endangerment. Glen Ward, who has been referred to as Mr Flashy and the leader of the 'Gucci Gang' during a recent High Court case, was arraigned at the beginning of May. We have learned that Ward, 32, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, May 2 where he entered a guilty plea to the charge of violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence at the Cardiffsbridge Road Deanstown Green junction in Finglas on August 9, 2022. A sentencing date of Wednesday, May 21 was pencilled in. His brother Eric O'Driscoll (23) has already entered a guilty plea to the same violent disorder offence and is also due to be sentenced on the same date. In a previous bail hearing in relation to the violent disorder charge, the district court heard that gardai had responded to reports of a group with knives and pitchforks, while there was mention of a firearm. Both brothers were jailed in the Special Criminal Court last month for possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle which was fired from the back door of a Finglas home during a house party. They both pleaded guilty to that offence and Ward was sentenced to five and a half years while O'Driscoll was sentenced to five years. During that sentencing hearing, Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the firearm Ward used was powerful and capable of causing serious injury or death. She noted that gardai found the weapon alongside a "sizable cache" of ammunition. Video footage retrieved from a phone showed Ward, having already fired the gun, encouraging his younger brother Eric O'Driscoll to take and discharge the firearm, she added. Gardai discovered the rifle alongside a military submachine gun during a search of a house in Finglas in February 2022. Ms Justice Greally said that in June of that year, gardai responded to reports that shots had been fired at a taxi on the Tolka Valley Road. When they searched the taxi, they found a phone that they were later able to connect to O'Driscoll. Analysts discovered a video clip on the phone in which Ward could be seen pointing the AR-15 rifle towards the sky and firing. Ms Justice Greally said a number of young people were present and watching. Ward, she said, then handed the firearm to O'Driscoll, who fired three shots into the air. Ward was named in the High Court as the leader of the Kinahan-affiliated 'Gucci Gang,' during the €1.7m CAB case against Kinahan Organised Crime Gang's top lieutenant Ross Browning in 2022. Investigators established Ward's links to Browning as a "known associate" as well as a number of other associates including 'Fat' Freddie Thompson, who is serving life for the Hutch/Kinahan feud murder of Dathai Douglas. In an affidavit opened during the CAB case against Browning, a top detective gave details of the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang describing it as a "transnational organisation whose activities are not just murders, money laundering and controlled drugs but also involved in the importation of firearms into Ireland, the UK and Europe with a €1 billion worldwide network." Glen Ward was then named in an affidavit by another senior detective as "an active member of the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang who directs the 'Gucci Gang' from an address on Ratoath Road in Finglas." "That gang got this name due to their penchant for designer clothes and jewellery," the sworn affidavit stated. Details were given before the High Court of that property on Ratoath Road as "having bullet proof windows, a fortified door and pit bulls in the front garden to protect against garda searches of the property." The property underwent a number of attacks, the affidavit continued, with Ward being seen in the company of certain individuals including Caolan Smyth, a gunman for the Kinahan organised crime group. Smyth, 33, from Donore, Co Meath is serving 20 years in prison for shooting rival Hutch gang member James 'Mago' Gately five times on May 10, 2017. The sworn affidavit by the senior detective also stated that it is the detective's belief that Mr Ward "is engaged in the distribution of controlled drugs" in Dublin and wider regions.
