Mob boss Mr Big arrested in gangland crackdown

Gardai question godfather as part of a major probe into organised crime in northeast | Believed to have ordered hit on serial killer Lawlor as he feared he'd be murdered

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE Crime and Defence Editor

GARDAI have arrested the criminal mastermind known as Mr Big as part of a major gangland crackdown.

This paper has learned that the criminalwhose gang has been implicated in up to 16 murders and is regarded as one of the biggest and most dangerous mob bosses in the country - was arrested in Dublin early yesterday.

He was being questioned in a Dublin Garda station last night under anti-gangland legislation. Gardai have the power to hold him for up to seven days.

We have established that the Dubliner, who is in his 40s, was arrested as part of the same probe that saw a glamorous businesswoman and another man detained on Wednesday.

All three are being questioned over an investigation into the activities of an organised crime group in the northeast. The suspect arrested is also being investigated for the April 2020 murder of psycho killer Robbie Lawlor, but sources said he was not detained over that offence yesterday.