Crime World

Crime World

Hit podcast about criminals, drugs and the sins of the underworld - now with further in-depth investigations and exclusive insights at our new website crimeworld.com.


An Unlikely Statesman: How Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch Almost Got Elected is OUT NOW - https://www.crimeworld.com/podcast-series/an-unlikely-statesman/


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Episode's summary

This episode covers the sentencing of former DUP leader Geoffrey Donaldson, who received a 15-year prison sentence for historical sex crimes. The report details the breakdown of his sentence, the emotional impact statements from his victims, and the police's commitment to justice despite the power held by the perpetrator. The discussion also addresses the legal complexities of protecting complainant anonymity and the psychological barriers victims faced due to Donaldson's political influence. Additionally, the report provides an update on the trial of facts regarding Eleanor Donaldson.

Chapters

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Highlights

the fact that he had shown no remorse or guilt in relation to these offences was an aggravating factor.

00:03:31 · The judge used the defendant's lack of remorse as a reason to weigh the sentence more heavily.

Whilst living in silence and fear of the repercussions of telling someone or of not being believed, both brave women have suffered immeasurably as they came to terms with what has happened to them as children.

00:07:36 · A police official highlights the long-term psychological struggle faced by the victims due to their fear of not being heard.

No one is above the law.

00:08:29 · The police service emphasizes that even a powerful political figure is subject to criminal justice.

The reason why they hadn't came forward sooner was because they didn't think anyone would believe them because this was Geoffrey Donaldson MP.

00:13:25 · The speaker explains the psychological barrier victims faced when deciding to report abuse by a powerful political figure.

The courts have delivered a strong message to Geoffrey Donaldson. They've delivered a strong message, I suppose, to powerful men in a similar situation.

00:14:02 · The reporter discusses the broader implications of the court's verdict for other individuals in positions of power.

Episodes

1912-

Jeffrey Donaldson given 15 years - but will be out in seven

This episode covers the sentencing of former DUP leader Geoffrey Donaldson, who received a 15-year prison sentence for historical sex crimes. The report details the breakdown of his sentence, the emotional impact statements from his victims, and the police's commitment to justice despite the power held by the perpetrator. The discussion also addresses the legal complexities of protecting complainant anonymity and the psychological barriers victims faced due to Donaldson's political influence. Additionally, the report provides an update on the trial of facts regarding Eleanor Donaldson.

15 Oct 2026
1911-

Dirty Money: Three decades of the CAB (Part 2)

This episode explores the history and impact of Ireland's Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) over several decades, detailing its efforts to dismantle the financial infrastructure of organized crime. From high-profile targets like Thomas 'Slab' Murphy and the Gilligan gang to investigations into IRA-linked smuggling and car dealership scams, the narrative traces how the bureau uses tax legislation and money laundering investigations to seize criminal wealth. The discussion further delves into various criminal operations in Ireland, including burglary gangs, drug trafficking, and the multi-million euro sex trade. The episode concludes by examining modern financial crimes, such as massive insurance fraud schemes and the extraordinary mystery of Clifton Collins, whose lost Bitcoin access codes represent a potential billion-euro case for the state.

15 Oct 2026
1909-

Dirty Money: Three decades of the CAB (Part 1)

This episode explores the origins and evolution of Ireland's Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), tracing its roots back to the 1996 assassination of journalist Veronica Guerin and the rise of organized crime figures like John Gilligan. It details how the subsequent Proceeds of Crime Act shifted the burden of proof, allowing authorities to target the wealth of criminals through a multi-agency approach involving revenue, finance, and law enforcement. The narrative follows the bureau's tactical shift from pursuing tax debts to directly seizing assets to prevent criminals from enjoying their illicit gains. Through high-profile investigations into political figures, large-scale VAT fraud, and border smuggling operations, the episode highlights the intense legal battles and the bureau's enduring role in dismantling the financial foundations of gangland crime.

15 Oct 2026
1908-

Dublin woman criticises Swiss clinic over mum’s assisted suicide

Megan Royal shares the traumatic experience of learning about her mother's assisted suicide in Switzerland while only ten days postpartum. She discusses the lack of transparency and accountability from the Pegasus clinic, detailing the emotional struggle of dealing with sudden loss and the logistical difficulties of retrieving her mother's ashes. The episode further explores the lack of safeguards in assisted death services, highlighting the potential legal risks for families and the commercialization of the process. Megan reflects on her ongoing journey through grief, her commitment to campaigning for better mental health support, and how she navigates major life milestones while honoring her mother's memory.

14 Oct 2026
1907-

Homes of Waterford criminals raided in probe into arson murders of family as gardai seize cars

This episode investigates a fatal arson attack in Waterford that killed two adults and critically injured two children, exploring how drug-related debt and gang intimidation are linked to the tragedy. The discussion highlights an escalation in low-cost, high-impact violence, such as petrol bomb attacks, used by criminal gangs. The hosts further examine the normalization of indiscriminate violence in Ireland, where gangs increasingly target innocent family members to settle debts. Using statistics from the Health Research Board, the episode illustrates how drug-related threats impact entire households and notes a historical shift toward targeting families for debts they did not incur.

14 Oct 2026