Crime World

Lennox Rodgers had been to court five times by his 11th birthday and groomed into becoming a pimp by his 14th.He spent half his life in London's murky underworld as a drug dealer, a gang enforcer, and an armed robber before he hit rock bottom, collapsed behind a bin on Oxford Street when a strange experience became the catalyst for him to turn his life around.Now the co-founder and CEO of Refocus, an early intervention and crime prevention charity, Rodgers' book Breaking Better gives a searing and honest account of his descent into darkness and of how he found the light.Today in a crime world special, we're bringing you an extract from his book read by Lennox and his wife, Bali. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Notorious drug dealer Jeffrey Mitchell who once amassed a fortune importing heroin into Ireland died from a cocktail of drugs in a homeless hostel in Dublin his inquest has heard.Mitchell was discovered face down on a bottom bunk by a hostel worker and was suffering from lung disease at the time.Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about Mitchell and his catastrophic fall from grace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The home of State Witness Jonathan Dowdall has sold for almost €800,000 as he prepares to finish his prison sentence and start a new life abroad.But what does the future hold for Dowdall whose evidence in the trial of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch for the Regency Hotel murder was not accepted by the courts.Nicola speaks to Niall Donald about the next chapter for Dowdall - the witness who couldn’t stop talking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Killer Edward Johnston shot dead in Malta after a standoff with police had been projecting himself as a self-help guru living the dream life.Videos he has left behind on social media show a successful, fit, wealthy man urging others to follow his lead so they can experience happiness too.But as he was filming himself he was also conducting a terrifying stalking and harassment campaign against his ex-girlfriend Nicolette Ghirxi who he stabbed to death before a standoff with police that led to his death.So what can we learn from Johnston and his internet persona and how are domestic violence and stalking issues handled by police? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Killer Graham Dwyer has a new female friend who is writing to him in prison and who told journalist Ali Bracken that she simply wants his side of the story.But why do evil murderers like Dwyer attract female attention and why do women strike up relationships with some of the most dangerous inmates?Nicola speaks with criminologist Trina O’Connor about the psychology of women who fall in love with prisoners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mob boss Fat Andy Connors will be 10 years dead this month but has his murder investigation gone cold.Nicola speaks with Eamon Dillon about the life and death of Connors, about the notorious burglary gang he headed up, about his role as a banker to the underworld, about his claims of financial links to the fallen Mansfield Empire and about his end in a hail of bullets at the home he called the ranch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Irishman gunned down in Malta after he is suspected of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death emerges as a stalker and a fantasist claiming to be a millionaire in online videos.But who is Edward Johnston, and what is his background? Nicola speaks to Eimear Rabbitte about the shooting in Malta, drug overdoses in prison and a significant cocaine arrest in Peru. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Limerick criminal Eds McCarthy joined forces with Thomas ‘Bomber’ Kavanagh some years ago joining him in Birmingham and cementing his position as a new underworld boss.But now the former underling of the McCarthy Dundon gang may have to pay for his ambitious move with a National Crime Agency investigation into his activities with Kavanagh and a case for extradition underway.Nicola is joined by Eamon Dillon to talk about McCarthy and the others who are being taken out in the fall of the mighty Bomber. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A mass overdose in Portlaoise Prison as three remain in intensive care.An investigation focuses on how the deadly consignment made its way through the most secure prison in the country to inmates on C wing.Nicola speaks to Eamon Dillon about the major incident - was it an inevitable result of overcrowding and illegal smuggling or something even more sinister? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s four years since tragic 21 year old showjumper Katie Simpson was laid to rest in her native Tynan in County Armagh - a day when her killer Jonathan Creswell, posed as a chief mourner and stood in false grief as she was lowered into her grave.Nicola speaks to journalist Tanya Fowles about the incredible and ongoing battle for justice for Katie since the events of August 2020. They discuss a 1400-page Police Ombudsman’s report, yet to be released, which details the failings of the PSNI investigators who categorised Katie’s murder as suicide and the unanswered questions which remain around her death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.