Crime World

IT'S the diamond capital of Europe and the second city of Belgium, but Antwerp is also on par with Rotterdam as the largest entry point for cocaine into the continent.Last year, 110 tonnes of the powder was seized at the city's sprawling port, where authorities are coming under increasing pressure to do more to take on the drug gangs.However, it's not as simple as beefing up police numbers and investing in new detection equipment. Antwerp is a unique city where smuggling and money laundering are deeply imbedded in its history and culture.Nicola Tallant meets with journalist Joris van der Aa, a colleague from Gazet van Antwerpen, who has spent decades on the crime beat in Belgium. The pair discuss diamonds, drugs and dodgy deals, as they travel the city and visit its enormous port. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's almost two years since famous Dutch journalist Peter R. De Vries was shot dead on an Amsterdam street in an assassination believed to have been ordered by Marengo suspect Ridouan Taghi.For decades, the 65-year-old TV star had been a voice for victims and a tireless campaigner against criminals and their crimes. But when his killers came for him on a sunny July evening on one of the busiest streets in Amsterdam, they didn't care about what he had achieved - they were simply carrying out their bloody orders.But how could such an instance of narco-terrorism take place in a modern European city, and why did Peter De Vries feel safe there despite the numerous threats to his life.Nicola Tallant, in her third despatch from the Marengo trial, meets with journalist Jan Meeus, chief reporter at NRC, and visits the scene of the De Vries death. Jan recalls his shock he felt at the news of his mentor's murder, and he remembers the fear it instilled in a media already under threat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A mystery on a Donegal cliff side, an idyllic fishing community left in shock and a victim with a shady past.Nicola speaks to journalist Allison Morris about the death of 67 year old trucker Robert Wilkins and the reasons why he was in Killybegs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist Jan Meeus a senior reporter at NRC in Amsterdam didn’t start out as a crime hack but since he made the transition from his finance beat he’s become one of the best known in the Netherlands.His latest book 'De Schiedamse - Cocaine Mafia' tells the story of a corrupt customs officer, seasoned criminals and thousands of kilos of coke while his podcasts including Cocaine Fever follows the story of a young criminal who becomes the head of an international mafia and questions what it says about the Netherlands.So what does the changing underworld say about his native country and mine and are we equipped to deal with a new breed of gangster who has simply no regard for the structures that uphold our society.Today in her second dispatch from the Marengo trial Nicola is speaking to Jan about the growing threat of organised crime in a Europe that continues to party on a diet of cocaine and wealth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Marengo trial is the largest ever held in the Netherlands and at the centre of it sits gang leader, Ridouan Taghi, a business partner and friend of Daniel Kinahan, who's reigned terror on Europe.A street dealer turned millionaire cocaine boss, he's the epitome of the new order of criminal, a frightening breed of gangster who has taken on a state.Today, in the first of a number of dispatches, we're going into the bunker in Amsterdam where Taghi is on trial for multiple gangland murders, and where we are going to meet Crime World regulars, the journalists Jan Meeus and Saskia Belleman for the first time as they work this very dangerous beat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The opinion of a psychiatric report prepared for the Coroner investigating the death of teenager Noah Donohoe is that he died from suicide while struggling with his sexuality and having built up an obsession with controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson.His mum Fiona Donohoe has rejected the conclusion but it does give a fascinating insight into what was going on in young Noah’s life in the run up to his death.Nicola is joined by Dublin based journalist Donal MacIntyre who is heading up an independent investigation into the case and who has seen the high level report.We discuss the bright and ambitious Noah, the last messages he sent to friends and his fascination with Peterson down to the last communication to the You Tube star on Instagram.If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please reach out for support. You can contact Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK and Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trouble at RTE over the payment of Ryan Tubridy’s complete salary has led to calls in the Dail for the arrest of former Director General Dee Forbes and for the Gardai to be called in to probe the legality of what occurred.However, despite public fury and social media anger, the scandal is more about morality than law and order.While investigators will follow the money trail and focus on individuals who knew about the dodgy deal it is unlikely that RTE gate will ever see the inside of a court.Features Editor Daragh Keaney joins Nicola and Niall Donald to discuss why such outrage has followed the revelations around Tubridy’s pay and discuss the long term fallout for RTE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gangsters moll Natasha McEnroe swapped her killer partner for a new man when he was locked up for murder.But later she and partner Paul Geraghty faced the wrath of mob boss heavy Brian Rattigan when he put a price on his love rivals head.But the peace lines were drawn and McEnroe managed to calm what once seemed like an impossible situation. This week, however, she faces life alone once after Geraghty was jailed for two years when he was caught collecting money for heroin deals.Nicola speaks to Niall Donald about McEnroe and her curious taste in men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Europol press conference has heard about the phenomenal on-going success of the EncroChat investigation with the release of updated figures showing that more than 6,500 suspects have now been arrested with cash and assets topping €1B seized.The success and robust nature of the investigation into the hack has been backed by the highest courts in France, the Netherlands and the UK while prisoners convicted on foot of the 120 million messages harvested are currently facing 7,134 years of jail time.So did the Gardai miss the greatest opportunity in the fight against organised crime this century? Or were decision makers right to remain as an outrider in Europe and simply store the information as intelligence?Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about EncroChat and what it says about the future of policing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A murderous couple who looked like ordinary newlyweds but who hid a dark secret. A series of shocking rapes and murders of teenage girls and finally a bust up between them which led to their capture.So who were the Ken and Barbie killers and why are they still making headlines almost 30 years after their crimes.Nicola speaks with Toronto Sun Crime Correspondent Brad Hunters about Paul Bernardo and his former wife Karla Homolka who encouraged his sadistic behaviour and even joined in his shocking spree of violence and death across Canada Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.