Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5979Murder · Co. Louth

Gardaí hope more people will be charged over Keane Mulready Woods murder

Keane Mulready Woods, a 17-year-old, was kidnapped and murdered in January 2020 at a house in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, during the so-called Drogheda drugs feud, and his body was dismembered. Detectives believe up to 11 people were involved, and body parts were found in Coolock and Drumconrath, Dublin, and on waste ground near the house. Gerard McKenna, 53, was jailed for cleaning up the house, and Paul Crosby, 29, and Gerard Cruise, 49, confessed to facilitating the murder, with three people jailed so far. As of 30 April 2024, gardaí remain hopeful more people will be charged, files on other suspects have been with the DPP for over a year, and the inquest is adjourned indefinitely.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The 17-year-old victim, Keane Mulready Woods, was kidnapped and murdered.
  • Detectives believe up to 11 people, including a number of women, were involved in roles ranging from abduction to clean-up and disposal of evidence.
  • Keane's body was dismembered after he was murdered.
Where
  • The killing took place at a house in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda.
  • Various body parts were found in Coolock and Drumconrath, Dublin, and on waste ground near the house.
When
Keane was kidnapped and murdered in January 2020.
Cause
The killing took place at the height of the so-called Drogheda drugs feud.
Sentence
  • Three people have been jailed so far in connection with the death, including Gerard McKenna, 53, who was jailed for cleaning up the house.
  • Paul Crosby is serving a ten-year sentence in Mountjoy, and Gerard Cruise is being held in Portlaoise Prison.
Other details
  • McKenna has served a four-year sentence and is living in Dublin.
  • The main suspect, Robbie Lawlor, is dead.
In court
Paul Crosby, 29, and Gerard Cruise, 49, confessed to facilitating the murder.
Investigation
  • Gardaí are still hopeful more people will be charged, and files on several other suspects with Garda recommendations for charges have been with the DPP for over a year.
  • The inquest into Keane's death has been adjourned indefinitely.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe 17-year-old victim, Keane Mulready Woods, was murdered. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDetectives believe up to 11 people were involved in the killing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatKeane's body was dismembered after he was murdered. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereKeane was killed at a house in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereVarious body parts were found in Coolock and Drumconrath, Dublin, and on waste ground near the house. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenKeane was kidnapped and murdered in January 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe killing took place at the height of the so-called Drogheda drugs feud. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are still hopeful more people will be charged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationFiles on several other suspects with Garda recommendations for charges have been with the DPP for over a year. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe inquest into Keane's death has been adjourned indefinitely. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtPaul Crosby and Gerard Cruise confessed to facilitating the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThree people have been jailed in connection with the death so far. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceGerard McKenna, 53, was jailed for cleaning up the house. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMcKenna has served a four-year sentence and is living in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentencePaul Crosby is serving a ten-year sentence in Mountjoy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceGerard Cruise is being held in Portlaoise Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe main suspect, Robbie Lawlor, is dead. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Apr2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai hopeful more people will be charged over Keane Mulready Woods murder

    Follow-up on a 2020 murder case: three people have been jailed, files on other suspects are with the DPP, and the inquest is adjourned until Garda investigations are complete.

    victim, Keane Mulready Woods, 17, male, irish (judged from name)Keane Mulready Woodsconvicted, Gerard McKenna, 53, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard McKennaconvicted, Paul Crosby, 29, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Crosbyconvicted, Gerard Cruise, 49, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Cruisesuspect, Robbie Lawlor, named, irish (judged from name)Robbie Lawlor