Latest news with #Pender
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Jordan Coyle and Mikey Pender record victories at Dublin Horse Show
The opening day of the 150th edition of the Dublin Horse Show saw two Irish wins as Jordan Coyle and Mikey Pender scored five-star victories at the RDS in the opening pair of 1.45m speed classes. Coyle led a field of 44 to take the honours in the Heathman Farm Speed Stakes on Wednesday morning, producing a blisteringly fast clear round on the Millview Cicero. Coyle and Millview Cicero ambled into the arena with pathfinder Susan Fitzpatrick and Lovely Stassi PS in the lead, having gone clear in a time of 54.76 seconds. A total of 26 combinations failed to improve upon that standard until Coyle and Millview Cicero stopped the clock at 52.70. That was untouchable, and only Adrian Whiteaway got anywhere close, just edging out Fitzpatrick for second with I Am A Harley registering a clear in 54.40. In a sign of what was to come, the consistent Pender was fourth on HHS Cyprus but the Castledermot pilot entered the winner's enclosure in the next event, the Minerva Stakes. There were 47 participants attempting to clear the 11 obstacles in the quickest time possible, and with HHS Fortune accurate and quick, it was comfortable enough for Pender, the duo registering a flawless round in 51.23 to see off Pius Schwizer on Joan. Trevor Breen completed the podium with Konrad Obolensky. The 1.55m Sport Ireland Classic narrowly escaped Pender's clutches as Germany's Richard Vogel and Phenyo van het Keysersbos went around blemish-free in 67.57 – 0.85 slower than Coyle and For Gold. The winning clear was just 0.32 faster than the in-form Pender and HHS Los Angeles. Former Irish chef d'equipe, Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil was third with Dhalida.
Sunday World
19-07-2025
- Sunday World
How Dublin drug dealer paid just €20 to set up front for €10m cocaine ring
He identified the business as being involved in 'removal services'. THESE are the company documents that show how a top-level drug-dealer paid just €20 to set a corporate structure behind which he concealed a €10 million cocaine smuggling operation. The document obtained by this newspaper show Andrew Pender, a key ally of CAB targets David and Christopher Waldron, registered Tech Recovery Ireland as a 'business name' on November 24th, 2021. He identified the business as being involved in 'removal services'. The documents show how, in total, Pender paid just €20 as a Company Registration Office 'submission fee' – after which he had a legitimate front behind which he could disguise his smuggling activities. Andrew Porter set up a front company to hide his drug dealing Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 19th Pender also had the Tech Recovery Ireland logo printed on his vehicles in a bid to throw off suspicion when he was moving drugs around the capital. On Wednesday of this week, coke addicted Pender, who lost part of his nose due to his addiction, was jailed for 15 years in connection with a €9 million seizure of cocaine , cannabis, MDMA and ketamine from a shipping container and €1.1 million in cash in July of last year. The 52-year-old, from Ely Green in Dublin, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to drugs trafficking and money laundering. Speaking afterwards, Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said that Pender operated a sophisticated drug trafficking distribution network and was observed personally delivering large quantities of drugs to communities around Dublin, particularly in the north and west of the city. The Assistant Commissioner said the case was a very good example of how the gardaí targets drug trafficking at all levels. 'We do believe Andrew Pender was affiliated with a group in north and west Dublin and those investigations are live and ongoing,' he said. The Sunday World understands this was a reference to the gang run by brothers David and Christoper Waldron – both of whom have been targeted by CAB and who the High Court was told took a leading role in sourcing and supplying drugs in the Cabra area following the murder of Eamon Dunne in 2010. David Waldron At his sentencing hearing, the court heard Pender was a major Dublin drug dealer who was in full control of a multi-million euro cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA) and money laundering network. He ran a sophisticated operation, which included storing the drugs in a shipping container, moving them and large bundles of cash in concealed compartments in specially modified vehicles and establishing shell companies to conceal the movements of the drugs and cash. He was targeted by An Garda Síochána's Dublin Crime Response Team set up to provide what gardaí say is an immediate and dynamic response to organised crime in the city, including drugs, burglary, money laundering, car theft, feud related activity and drug related intimidation. Pender was targeted when gaps were identified in opportunities to tackle Dublin mid-level organised crime groups. An intelligence-led operation was established focussing on Pender, who operated as independent drugs trafficker working to keep below the garda radar. Christopher Waldron He was stopped in a 19 D registered Peugeot car on the Finglas Road in Dublin at 6.30pm on Friday 19 July 2024. Drugs and cash were discovered in a car, shipping container and a box van A small amount of cocaine and over €9,000 in cash was found hidden in his car. Keys were also found for the drugs storage unit. In simultaneous follow up searches, another €8.9m worth of drugs and over €1.1m in cash were found in a shipping container and a box van in a yard at the Ward in Co Dublin. The money was packed in 16 bales, sealed in duct tape. Pender was renting the land for €200 a month. Another €44,690 in cash was also found in two homes in Tallaght linked to Pender. In all, gardaí recovered over €1.15m in cash as part of the investigation along with a stolen full garda uniform with PPE equipment, epaulettes and a garda stab vest.. Detective Inspector Ken Holohan of the Dublin Crime Response Team told the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Pender told gardaí several "self-serving lies" when interviewed, including denying significant wrongdoing. Judge Crowe described Pender's as a highly sophisticated operation. Pender, she said, managed an entire cell, registered fake companies and arranged the false registration of the two cars.
The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Sinister details that tied Tallaght dad to top tier of crime mob & how poster boy to warn off drugs was finally caught
IF ever there was a poster boy to warn against drugs, or pushing the product, Andrew Pender would be a good candidate. Left with Advertisement 6 Andrew Pender was caged for 15 years this week for drug offences Credit: Colin Keegan/Collins 6 Drugs led him to his own personal struggles and also into deep trouble with the law Credit: An Garda Siochana 6 The gang he worked for filled the void left behind by Eamon 'The Don' Dunne Credit: COURTPIX He had a plaster covering it on Wednesday as he stood surrounded by Advertisement News and Crime Correspondent JOHN HAND examines his life and crimes. HOW COPS CAUGHT DRUG KING BORN on March 31, 1973, Andrew Pender appeared to live a very ordinary life in Tallaght in southwest With only three minor road traffic convictions, Pender had never come to But with his conviction and jailing this week, the man who lived in the shadows for much of his life was revealed as being at the top tier of a major Dublin On November 24, 2021, the Dubliner set up his own company and registered it to his own address. Advertisement Tech Recovery Ireland, which had its own website, was stated on paper to be a 'removal service.' But it would not be until some years later when its true nature of business would come to light. And it only did so after a long-running and complex investigation into a major organised crime group based in west Dublin. FILLED THE VOID Run by two brothers, they have been working in the game for a long number of years. Following the murder of crazed gangster Eamon 'The Don' Dunne in 2010, they filled the void he left behind, making millions. Advertisement They had become high priority targets for not only the gardai in Dublin, but also the Criminal Assets Bureau. The Dublin Crime Response Team - set up in January 2023 to tackle organised crime groups classified as 'mid level' - gathered intelligence and began surveillance with the assistance of other units. UNDER SURVEILLANCE Very quickly, it became evident to them that Pender, nor his Tech Recovery Ireland company, were operating on a legitimate basis. Pender was observed personally delivering large quantities of drugs into communities around various areas in Dublin using a truck with the livery of the company. But it was established Pender was not a gilly either. As they continued to watch and build up information on him, it was obvious he had been handed reigns by the Dublin gang to control its operations in the capital. Advertisement Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said: 'Andrew Pender was not on our radar before this investigation or operation. 'COMPLEX INVESTIGATION' 'In fact he only had three previous road traffic convictions. 'But our DCRT were involved in a very comprehensive, complex investigation in which it became very obvious, very quickly that Andrew Pender was responsible for this drug trafficking cell.' On July 19, 2024, gardai decided to move, having identified various locations of interest. Pender was intercepted driving a 19-D registered Peugeot car on the Finglas road in Dublin after 6pm that day, and they found €9,000 in cash and a small amount of cocaine. Advertisement PREMISES RAID At the same time, they raided a premises on foot of a search warrant at Woodfield, Ballymacarney, The Ward on the north county Dublin and Meath border. There, Pender had been renting a shipping container there at a cost of €200 per month in rent, with its innocent owner in the dark about Pender's activities. Inside, investigators hit gold. Stacks of cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and ketamine were found worth a combined €8.9m. A Mercedes van with 16 blocks of cash, sealed with duct tape, worth €1.1m was also discovered. SINISTER ASPECT A more sinister aspect of the investigation was the fact they came upon a full garda uniform - with PPE equipment, epaulettes, a garda stab vest and an official utility belt - in the container, but to this day don't know what the planned use of it was for. Advertisement Two properties linked to Pender in Tallaght were searched and a further €44,690 was recovered. Back in garda custody, Pender opted against his right to silence and engaged with investigators. But he was only serving himself as he claimed his innocence, blatantly and continuously lying. CLAIMS DEBUNKED He insisted that nothing could be found in the shipping container that could be linked to him. But gardai did, uncovering documents inside which had information relating to him. Advertisement Pender also claimed he had just found the key to the container and had been skimming cocaine from the unit for his own use. But that claim was debunked too, with a locksmith proving it was the original key and not a copy. REALISATION HITS He claimed he used the Mercedes van for 'odd jobs', but could not explain why both that vehicle and the Peugeot car he had been stopped in had hidden electronic compartments because the true answer was he had ferried drugs and cash around Dublin in them. Even with the evidence against him, Pender answered 'not guilty' to the multiple charges which were read to him in custody before being brought to court on July 22, 2024. But the realisation hit him this year when he couldn't get out of this one, entering his guilty pleas at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Advertisement He admitted to multiple drug trafficking and money laundering charges, as well as the possession of a stolen garda uniform and having two vehicles with the secret compartments for his operation. CAUGHT UP WITH HEALTH AND LIBERTY Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to 15 years behind bars, rejecting pleas from his counsel to suspend a portion of it, saying Pender was the manager of the 'entire cell of a drug distribution network in the Dublin area.' The drugs industry has not only caught up on Pender's health, but now his liberty too. At the earliest time he could be released he'll be 63, having served at least 11 years and three months taking remission into account. 6 Vehicles had hidden compartments to stash and ferry drugs Advertisement 6 Stacks of cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and ketamine were found worth a combined €8.9m 6 Cops were 'involved in a very comprehensive, complex investigation' Credit: Collins Courts
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Dealer banged up for 15 years ran Dublin drug cell for mob led by 2 brothers before €9m secret compartment op smashed
A DRUG dealer who had part of his nose removed after a 'chronic cocaine habit' left him with a deviated septum was banged up for 15 years today. Andrew Pender, 52, had operated under the radar while working at the top tier of a 5 Andrew Pender has been banged up for 15 years Credit: Colin Keegan/Collins 5 He carried out drug drops as he ferried gear and cash around the capital 5 Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said it was a 'great and significant result' Credit: Collins Courts He carried out Dad-of-four Pender was caged over a €9million seizure of cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and ketamine from a shipping container. Cops also found €1.1million in cash, which was split into 16 separate bales and wrapped in duct tape. Pender had pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering offences as well as the possession of a full Read more in News He also admitted to having two vehicles — a Peugeot car and a Mercedes Luton van — which were fitted with secret compartments for drug trafficking. They have been long in operation, filling the void left by their murdered associate Eamon 'The Don' Dunne in 2010. The gang have been high-priority targets for Gardai for a number of years, as well as the Most read in the Irish Sun Pender ran their drug cell in Dublin. But it was smashed following a lengthy and complex probe by the Dublin Crime Response Team, which involved lots of surveillance. Det Insp Ken Holohan said Pender was stopped in a 19-D Peugeot car on the Finglas Road, in Dublin after 6pm on July 19, 2024. COP RAID A sum of €9,000 in cash was found along with a small quantity of cocaine, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Cops then raided a premises at Woodfield, Ballymacarney, The Ward, on the Dublin/ Pender, of Tallaght, had been renting a shipping container there at a cost of €200 per month. Inside it, €8.9million of cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and ketamine was found. The €1.1million in cash was seized from a Mercedes van. BRANDED COKE Pictures of the drugs show the coke was branded 'Route 66' while further drugs were branded 'Dior'. This is usually done to indicate which drugs packages are going to other gangs lower down the chain. A full Garda uniform, a cop stab vest and an official utility belt were also discovered in a barrel. Another two properties linked to Pender in Tallaght were searched, with a further €44,690 recovered. SHELL COMPANIES The court heard Pender had set up shell companies as a front to cover for the movement of the gear. This included Tech Recovery, with its livery put on a van. Our pictures also show where the secret compartments were fitted to conceal the drugs and cash. Judge Orla Crowe said Pender was the manager of the 'entire cell of a drug distribution network in the Dublin area', adding there were 'no persons higher up nationally' in the operation than him. She told his sentencing hearing that Gardai were satisfied he was not under pressure or any threat to run this operation. HEALTH ISSUES And she flagged how he did not assist in the probe. In mitigation, the judge noted that Pender — who only had three convictions for road traffic offences before this — had A previous He also suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. JAIL SENTENCE Judge Crowe also noted his good references from family members. But she jailed him for 15 years. His sentence was backdated when he went into custody on July 7, with credit for three months on remand. His barrister pleaded for a portion to be suspended — but the judge rejected it. Pender, who stood just outside the dock, showed no emotion as he was given his sentence today. 'GREAT RESULT' Speaking afterwards, Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said it was a 'great and significant result'. He declared: 'Andrew Pender was managing and controlling a sophisticated drugs cell. He was responsible for it. 'He was also observed personally delivering large quantities of drugs into communities around our city. It was a significant result and very much targeted at the middle-tier, middle-level drug-dealing gangs.' The top cop said officers were not aware what the use of the Garda uniform was for but said: 'It was a sinister element and shows the level of sophistication this particular mid-tier group had.' Cleary said the DCRT has seized over €48million in drugs and €14million in cash since it was set up in January 2023, with further 'live and ongoing' investigations. 5 The coke was branded 'Route 66' while further drugs were branded 'Dior' 5 Judge Crowe said Pender was the manager of the 'entire cell of a drug distribution network in the Dublin area'
Sunday World
16-07-2025
- Sunday World
Dealer at ‘highest level' of Dublin drugs network is jailed for 15 years
Judge Orla Crowe said that gardaí are satisfied that 'no people were higher up nationally' than 52-year-old Andrew Pender A man described as the manager of the 'entire cell of a drug distribution network in the Dublin area' has been jailed for 15 years after he was caught with almost nine million worth of assorted drugs, over €1 million in cash and a stolen garda uniform. Judge Orla Crowe said that gardaí are satisfied that 'no people were higher up nationally' than 52-year-old Andrew Pender. The judge said it was a 'a highly sophisticated operation' that involved two vehicles which had been adapted to have hidden compartments to store drugs, a rented shipping container, a stolen garda uniform and a falsely registered delivery company. Pender of Ely Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24 pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of an assortment of drugs for sale or supply at The Ward in Co Meath on July 19, 2024. He has three previous convictions for minor road traffic offences. He further pleaded guilty to having two vehicles – a Peugeot and a Mercedes Luton van – which had been fitted with a compartment in circumstances giving rise to the inference that he possessed or controlled it for the purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence on the same date. Finally, he pleaded guilty to money laundering of €1,149,920 in cash at The Ward, his home and his parents' home also on the same date. The cocaine found was valued at almost €4.47 million, the ketamine had a value of just over €2.5 million, the cannabis was worth €1.29 million and the MDMA was valued at just over €700,00. In sentencing Pender today Judge Crowe noted that Pender did not assist the garda investigation but acknowledged that he pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage. She accepted that he had a long-standing addiction to cocaine which has had medical consequences for him before she noted that he suffered from COPD, that he had heart problems and recently had surgery on his nose. She further accepted that there was a large number of references before the court that spoke well of Pender and a letter of remorse he had written. Judge Crowe said that the garda evidence was that Pender 'managed the entire cell of drug distribution for the Dublin area' and gardaí are satisfied that he was not under duress or pressure to run this operation. She noted that he was responsible for both the movement of cash and drugs. She said he was in 'clear control' of the operation and 'working hands on' before describing the evidence as 'obvious' that Pender was at 'a level of involvement at the highest possible level' and that there was 'no people higher up than he nationally'. Judge Crowe said it was an 'inherently very grave' case noting the impact drugs and drug trafficking at this level have on society. She also noted that "chillingly" Pender had possession of a garda uniform. She set a headline sentence of 20 years in prison noting that the maximum penalty available to the court was life imprisonment. Judge Crowe said she was taking into account mitigating features of the case including Pender's personal circumstances and his plea of guilty before she imposed a sentence of 15 years in prison. The sentence was backdated to when Pender first went into custody earlier this month and he was given credit for time previously served on remand. Judge Crowe acceded to a request from Joe Mulrean BL, prosecuting, to have the drugs, cash, vehicles and shipping container seized during the investigation forfeited to the State. She refused an application by Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, defending to suspend part of the sentence on the basis of Pender's chronic drug addiction. Detective Inspector Ken Holohan, of the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT), previously gave evidence that Pender was arrested following what was described as 'an elaborate ongoing investigation' after it was determined that Pender was 'a person of trust'. Pender was stopped while he was driving a Peugeot and a further search of the vehicle revealed €9,000 in cash, a small quantity of cocaine and a key. It was soon discovered that this was the key for a rented shipping container situated in rural Meath. A warrant was obtained to search this container and a Mercedes Luton van and a stolen garda uniform, along with a stab vest, was also discovered. The van had been fitted with a hidden compartment, behind a hydraulic device. It was considered a sophisticated compartment which required an expert to access it. In this compartment, 16 blocks of cash and two kilogrammes of cocaine were found. The rest of the drugs were found in the shipping container. Pender had been renting the container for some time, paying €200 per month in rent. It later transpired that Pender had asked two separate people to register the two vehicles in their own names. Pender had also registered a company in his name in November 2021. It was registered to his home address but he did not operate the company as a business. The Peugeot that he had been stopped driving also had a false floor fitted to hide a compartment under the seats. Pender's home and his parents' home were searched during which the documentation in relation to the vehicle was found along with further quantities of cash. Mr Ó Lideadha submitted to the court that Pender had the money and drugs in order to pay off a drug debt but the gardaí do not accept this. Counsel said Pender had damaged his nose due to his 'chronic cocaine habit' and he had to have part of his nose surgically removed recently as a result. Andrew Pender Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 16th
