Every city in the world has its share of crime stories. Here are some of the most infamous cases in Ireland’s capital city.
While we consider Dublin a relatively safe space, there are, unfortunately, crime stories like any other capital city.
We want to share some of the most infamous Dublin crime stories. Our history contains such criminal tales as kidnappings, disappearances, bank and art robberies, and murders, to name but a few. So, read on to discover the dark underbelly of Dublin.
5. The crimes of Martin Cahill − the infamous crime lord known as ‘The General’
Martin Cahill (known as The General) was a notorious Irish crime lord until his assassination by the Provisional Irish Republican Army in 1994.
Cahill was known for stealing over €2 million (worth over €6 million today) in diamonds and gold from O’Connor jewellers in 1983.
He was also responsible for the most significant art robbery in the country’s history in 1986, when he stole over 18 paintings from Russborough House.
Cahill was so notorious that a particular unit known as the ‘Tango Squad’ was established by the Gardaí to constantly monitor Cahill and his gang.
Cahills own death is also considered one of the most infamous Dublin crime stories, when a member of the Provisional IRA shot him multiple times in the face while he was driving in his car.
4. The legend of Darkey Kelly − Ireland’s first female serial killer?
Darkey Kelly owned a brothel called the Maiden Tower off Fishamble Street in the 1700s. While her story is too far back in time for us to take as 100% fact, it is still shared with Dublin tourists as one of the most infamous Dublin crime stories.
So old is her tale that there are, in fact, two stories about her alleged crimes. One story is that the brothel owner was trialled and executed for the alleged murder of local shoemaker John Dowling.
The other story is that she was trialled and executed for witchcraft after allegedly becoming impregnated by Sheriff Simon Lutrell.
Luttrell accused her of casting a spell on him to impregnate her, so she was partially hanged and burned at the stake on Gallows Road, now known as Baggott Street. She is widely known as one of Ireland’s most notorious serial killers.
3. The disappearance of Philip Cairns − a heartbreaking case that is still open as one of the most infamous Dublin crime stories
13-year-old Philip Cairns went missing in broad daylight on his way to school on 23 October 1986.
The young student from Ballyroan had returned home from school for lunch and left to return to school at half one, never to be seen again.
While nobody has ever been held responsible for Philip’s disappearance, the case remains open, with his family remaining hopeful for his return.
Philip’s disappearance rocked the whole country, mainly because it occurred in the middle of the day.
While many people have been questioned, and many sightings have been reported, Philip has not yet been found, nor has anyone been held responsible for his disappearance.
2. The Bank of Ireland robbery − one of the largest bank robberies in Irish history
When 24-year-old Shane Travers sat in his girlfriend’s house awaiting her return from a shopping trip, little did he know how terrifying the night and the following day would turn out for him.
On their return, masked assailants jumped out of the bushes near the house and took them hostage.
Travers, a junior bank assistant, was ordered to go to work the next day and take as much money as possible in €20, €50, €100 and €200 banknotes.
Travers retrieved €7.6 million from the Bank of Ireland building on College Green. Seven people were arrested and questioned for the crime.
1. The murder of Ana Kriégel – an appalling case
The Ana Kriégels murder of 2018 is a story that shook Ireland to its core. Ana was only 14 at the time of her untimely death in Lucan at the hands of two 13-year-old boys, only known to the public as Boy A and Boy B.
Both boys were charged with murder, while Boy A was additionally charged with aggravated sexual assault.
Both boys were detained in Oberstown Detention Centre until 2022, when they were transferred to adult prisons upon turning 18, perhaps becoming some of the most dangerous criminals behind bars in Ireland. Ana’s father said, “Forever is not long enough” after the two boys were sentenced to unjustifiably short sentences due to their age.
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