Gardaí at the dig site in Co. Dublin. (Photo: Mick O'Neill) Inset: William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane.

Mobster Cornelius Price murdered Willie Maughan and his lover as he knew 'far too much' about drug empire

17 Nov 2024, 15:43 by John Kierans · Irish Mirror

Evil crime boss Cornelius Price killed his right-hand man Willie Maughan and his lover because he knew far too much about his drug empire.

Gardaí said tragic Willie, 34, worked as his enforcer for several years and regularly collected the gang's drug debts. It is understood that Maughan became a heroin addict and Price paid him with cash and drugs. He also lived right beside his boss in a caravan on Price's family compound at Gormanston, Co Meath.

But Gardaí say Willie Maughan's life changed when he met and fell in love with Anna Varslavane, 21, from Laytown, a few miles away. He gave up the drugs and got himself clean.

A Garda source said: "Once she became pregnant, he and Anna decided they wanted to start a new life together, away from Price and his compound. On the day they went missing on April 14, 2015, he told Price he had sold his caravan and was moving out for good.

"He called his mother and she was due to pick him up in nearby Stamullen but neither he nor Anna ever appeared. We believe when he found out that Willie was leaving, Price decided there and then to kill both of them. I suspect he and some of his cohorts murdered them at his compound and then shifted the bodies elsewhere."

Drogheda mob boss Cornelius Price(Image: Collins Photo Agency)

"Under no circumstances was Price going to let Willie leave the gang because he just knew far too much about his drug business. He was Price's right-hand man and enforcer for many years and there was no way Price would let him out. We believe a number of people witnessed the murders and we would like them to contact us."

Price died from a brain disease in a Welsh Hospital in February, 2023. Gardaí began searching an area of bog at Ring Commons in Balrothery, Balbriggan, Co Dublin last Friday after receiving information the bodies could be there. The site they are searching is next to a piece of land once owned by Price.

17/11/24 Gardai pictured during a search in Ring Commons, Balrothery East, north Co Dublin. Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos(Image: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos)

17/11/24 The search for Willie Maughan and Anastasija (Ana) Varslavane continues in Ring Commons, Balrothery East, north Co Dublin(Image: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos)

Gardaí knew the gangster had land in the area but could never identify it until recently because it was not registered in his name on the land registrar. A number of people, including women, have previously been questioned over the missing couple and for withholding information.

The Garda source added: "The search will take several days and we will see what we find. We would just hope that some people out there would examine their conscience and give us whatever information on this case that they have.

"Both Willie and Anna's families deserve closure and to give the two of them a proper christian burial. Cornelius Price is dead and can't threaten or harm anyone any more."

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