Thurles Information

A member of the ruthless Dublin gang, who viciously attacked the home of Mark and Emma Corcoran, at Burnchurch, Killenaule, South Tipperary; the former armed with a sawn-off shotgun, a handgun and a machete, has himself been assaulted in prison.

Mr Donal O’Hara, aged 24, had 19 previous convictions before being jailed for five years. The combined involved criminal gang in this case, who had more than 300 combined convictions, were imprisoned for a total of 72 years, back in October 2015.

In a recent prison attack, Mr O’Hara, is understood to have had the tendons in his arm severed, while being beaten with metal poles. Same violent attack is understood to have been carried out in retaliation for an attack on an unnamed female. From investigations carried out by the authorities; it is believed that the attack was instigated by some of Mr O’Hara’s former associates, who are believed to have initiated a “€5,000 hit” on Mr O’Hara.

Mr Donal O’Hara then aged 21, with an address at Glin Park, Coolock, Dublin 17; together with Mr Dean Byrne aged 21 of Cabra Park, Dublin 7, Mr Patrick Gately, aged 26 of Primrose Grove, Darndale, Dublin 17; Mr John Joyce aged 19, of The Donaghies, Donaghmede, Dublin; Mr Patrick Joyce aged 21, of Beaumont Hall, Beaumont Woods, Dublin 9;  Mr Thomas Flynn aged 19, of Moatview Avenue, Coolock, Dublin 17 and Mr Michael McDonagh aged 22, of Tara Lawns, Belcamp Lane, Coolock, Dublin 17; sought cash and valuables when they burst into the Corcoran family’s home on November 21st 2013; threatening to kill their three young kids, aged eight, six and two.

A quick thinking Mrs Corcoran managed to dial 999, and leave her mobile phone switched on for some seven minutes, thus allowing Gardaí to eavesdrop on what was happening, as this crime progressed. During the incident Mr Corcoran was brutally assaulted and suffered a fractured eye socket and a broken nose.

Mr O’Hara has now been placed under protective custody while in prison.

Early this morning (12th July 2016), Gardaí arrested three men; all understood to be aged in their mid to late 30’s. The men were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation; targeting rural theft in the counties; Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Carlow and Kilkenny.

Shortly after midnight and early this morning, a vehicle (4×4), believed to have been stolen in Co. Laois back in late June 2016, failed to stop for Gardaí at a road checkpoint set up in the vicinity of Cloncourse, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.  The stolen vehicle rammed a marked Garda car, while also colliding with a second Garda vehicle. The occupants, three men, then fled from the 4×4 vehicle into nearby farm land. A Garda Air Support Unit and Gardaí on the ground immediately searched the area, later arrested all three suspects.

Those arrested were taken to Garda Stations at Portlaoise and Tullamore; detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The scene was immediately preserved for a full technical examination. However four Gardaí are understood to have received non-life threatening injuries as a result of this incident; necessitating them to attend at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. No other injuries have as yet been reported.

It is understood that a number of vehicles, trailers and other farm equipment have now been recovered during a planned follow up search connected with this morning’s operation. Same was facilitated by members from Garda Divisions in Tipperary, Laois/Offaly, and Carlow/Kildare who were assisted by units representing Regional and Garda Air Support.

The Garda press office have stated that all Gardaí are committed to remaining focused when dealing with travelling criminal gangs; while also working closely with agricultural representative organisations, e.g. IFA, ICMSA, to further raise awareness within the farming community in dealing with rural crime.