Former top garda who led force’s effort against Kinahan cartel dies

Former Garda Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, who was central to the garda effort against the Kinahans, died this week - just over two years on from his retirement from the force

A former top garda who led the force’s effort against the Kinahan cartel, has died.

Former Garda Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, who was central to the Garda effort against the Kinahans, died this week - just over two years on from his retirement from the force.

Leading the tributes on Friday evening, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described Mr O’Driscoll as an “outstanding member of An Garda Síochána.”

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“Throughout his 41 years of stellar service, John worked tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable in society and was a great advocate for the power of sport, particularly boxing, in helping and supporting children from deprived areas,” the Commissioner said.

"In recent years, he was to the forefront in Garda successes against organised crime. This work helped save lives and protect communities from the scourge of drugs.

"At this very difficult time, my thoughts and the thoughts of the entire Garda organisation are with John’s wife Muriel and his children, Michelle, Laura and Seán. May he rest in peace.”

Mr O’Driscoll was in his day a legendary officer who helped put away evil heroin kingpin Tony “King Scum” Felloni.

The respected senior officer retired as a Garda Assistant Commissioner in 2022 after leading the unprecedented international crackdown on the Kinahan cartel.

He led the Garda effort against the cartel in the midst of the Kinahan Hutch feud that ultimately saw the force boost its resources and prevent a series of gangland murders.

Following the Regency Hotel shooting in February, 2016, Mr O’Driscoll routinely gave major press conferences highlighting the Garda efforts to fight back against the cartel and to quell the feud.

Key Garda operations under his leadership saw many Kinahan cartel members and assisted jailed.

He was also central to garnering international support for An Garda Siochana that ultimately saw sanctions imposed against the Kinahan cartel leaders in April 2022.

Mr O’Driscoll was able to drum up support that ultimately saw US authorities impose sanctions against Christy Kinahan Sr and his sons Daniel and Christy - a major step towards dismantling the cartel.

Shortly before retiring, Mr O’Driscoll also ordered the Cold case review by the Serious Crime Review Team into the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier.

Speaking at the time of his retirement he said: “The main objective for me over the course of my career has been to provide a service to the public.

“I hope that my career has served that purpose and that there have been some benefits to those who have been victims of crime.

“I have worked with some fantastic people over the years and I would like to wish my former colleagues the very best in the years ahead.”

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