Ireland Case No. 7735Controlling a criminal gang · Co. Sligo
Sligo man jailed for 11 years for controlling criminal gang
Barry Young, a 38-year-old man from Sligo, was sentenced on 31 July 2023 to 12 years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, for directing a 20-member criminal gang that operated in Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim and Galway and had links to the Alicante area of Spain. The offence period ran from 4 October 2019 to 15 January 2022, during which the gang was linked to over €628,000 in drug seizures. Young was arrested at Dublin Airport on 11 January 2022 while travelling to Spain and pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court on 10 March 2023. The judge set a headline sentence of 16 years, reduced to 12 years for his early guilty plea, with the final year suspended for four years. A second suspect, John Gilligan, a 71-year-old man based in Torrevieja, Spain, faces separate charges there including sending drugs to Ireland by post and unlawful weapons possession.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Mar
2 reports - Convicted9 May
3 reports - Sentenced31 Jul
4 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Barry Young directed a 20-member criminal gang with a hierarchical command structure that dealt in cannabis, cocaine and prescription drugs.
- Where
- The gang operated in Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim and Galway in Ireland and the Alicante area of Spain.
- When
- The offence period ran from 4 October 2019 to 15 January 2022.
- Cause
- The gang was involved in a drug operation with substantial international links.
- Weapon
- A Colt Python .357 Magnum was found buried in the garden of John Gilligan's home in Torrevieja in 2020.
- Investigation
- The operation was led by Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken and involved the Sligo-Leitrim Division, Criminal Assets Bureau, Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the National Police.
- Young was arrested by Sligo detectives at Dublin Airport on 11 January 2022 while on his way to Spain, and searches found €36,360 in cash and €145,250 worth of cannabis.
- Charges
- Young was charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation under section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
- John Gilligan is accused of sending drugs to Ireland by post and unlawful weapons possession in Spain.
- In court
- Young pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court on 10 March 2023.
- Sentence
- On 31 July 2023, Mr Justice Tony Hunt set a headline sentence of 16 years, reduced to 12 years for the early guilty plea, with the final 12 months suspended for four years on conditions of keeping the peace and good behaviour.
- Other details
- Drug seizures linked to the gang totalled over €628,000, and Young had €40,000 in ready cash at the time of his arrest.
- Young had 81 previous convictions at the time of his arrest and had been a priority target for gardaí in Sligo for over a decade.
89 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí travelled more than 1,700kms to southern Spain for the operation. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe operation targeted the remnants of the gang controlled by Barry Young. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA gun was found buried in the garden of Gilligan's home in Torrevieja in 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe gang had at least 20 members and was organised in a hierarchical command structure. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whatDrug seizures linked to the gang totalled over €628,000. (leitrimobserver.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whatYoung directed a gang of 20 members. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDetectives have established that Young owns two apartments and has a major interest in a bar. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatYoung had €40,000 in ready cash. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatYoung pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal gang. (rte.ie)
- whatBarry Young was jailed for eleven years by a judge at the Special Criminal Court. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whatA Sligo criminal was jailed. (extra.ie)
- whereFive properties were raided in the Alicante area. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe gang Young controlled was operating in the Alicante area of Spain. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereBarry Young is of Geldof Drive, Cranmore, Co Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereGilligan is based in the town of Torrevieja in Spain. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe gang operated in the Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim and Galway areas. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whereThe gang operated in Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim and Galway. (irishtimes.com)
- whereGardaí suspect Young has more hidden assets in Spain. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereYoung was set to relocate from Sligo to Alicante with his family. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereYoung is from Geldof Drive in Sligo. (rte.ie)
- whereYoung had a previous address at Geldof Drive, Cranmore, Co Sligo. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whenThe offence period ran from 4 October 2019 to 15 January 2022. (leitrimobserver.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenYoung was arrested by Sligo detectives at Dublin Airport on 11 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenYoung was arrested at Dublin Airport in January 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenYoung was arrested on a plane at Dublin Airport on his way to Spain in January last year. (rte.ie)
- whenThe offence is stated to have taken place between 4 October 2019 and 15 January 2022. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offending period was between October 4, 2019 and January 15, 2022. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- causeThe criminal was involved in a drug operation. (extra.ie)
- weaponThe gun was a Colt Python .357 Magnum. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation involved Sligo-Leitrim Division, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and the Spanish National Police. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe long-running probe was led by Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationYoung was arrested by Sligo detectives at Dublin Airport on 11 January 2022 while on his way to Spain. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized Young's phone and found thousands of messages, images, videos and calls linked to the gang. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- investigationInvestigations of five phones linked to Young led to the arrest of 16 people, six of whom are before the courts. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- investigationGardaí found thousands of messages, images, videos and calls on Young's phone. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigations of five phones associated with Young led to the arrest of 16 people. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí in Sligo and authorities in Alicante are working to establish Young's other interests in the region. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí and Spanish authorities carried out searches in the Costa Blanca earlier this year. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA Garda investigation linked over €600,000 worth of drug seizures to Young. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí carried out seven searches on the day of the arrest and seized phones. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe investigation linked over €500,000 of drugs, €55,000 in cash and at least €60,000 in accounts to Young. (rte.ie)
- investigationYoung was arrested by Sligo detectives at Dublin Airport on 11 January while on his way to Spain. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized Young's phone and found thousands of messages, images, videos and calls relating to the gang. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationSearches in the Sligo area after the arrest found €36,360 in cash and €145,250 worth of cannabis. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 4 October 2019 and 15 January 2022. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- chargeGilligan is accused of sending drugs to Ireland by post. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeState prosecutors are demanding an 18-month prison sentence for unlawful weapons possession. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeYoung pleaded guilty in March to directing the activities of the gang. (leitrimobserver.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeYoung pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation under section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeYoung pleaded guilty to directing a criminal organisation. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeYoung pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtBarry Young pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtThe DPP consented to arraignment on section 14 of the indictment without prejudice. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtMichael Bowman SC represented the accused and requested a date of 9 May for the next court appearance. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtLegal aid was extended to cover the cost of a counsellor report. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtA trial date of 17 April was fixed and could now be vacated. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody to 9 May. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtYoung pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to directing a crime gang in Ireland and abroad between October 4, 2019 and January 15, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtYoung will be sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in May. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Special Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to 31 July. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned sentencing to 31 July. (irishtimes.com)
- courtYoung is set to be sentenced at the Special Criminal Court for controlling a crime gang. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtYoung was sentenced by a judge at the Special Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said Young could have faced 16 years or more without the guilty plea. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- sentenceThe offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- sentenceThe offence carries a maximum of life imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceYoung was sentenced to 12 years in prison with the final year suspended. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said Young would have received 16 years had he contested the case. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 16 years. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was reduced to 12 years because of mitigating factors, including Young's early guilty plea. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe final 12 months of the sentence were suspended for four years on conditions of keeping the peace and good behaviour. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was 16 years, reduced to 12 years for mitigating factors including the early guilty plea. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- sentenceThe final 12 months of the sentence were suspended for four years after release, on condition of keeping the peace and good behaviour. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherThe offence was committed both within and outside the state. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherHe is currently in custody in Portlaoise Prison. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherBarry Young is facing the real risk of a life sentence in Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherJohn Gilligan turned 71 earlier that week. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Mirror later established the gun was not used to murder Guerin. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDefence counsel said Young had sought to take his own life because of the pressure of his drug debts. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherDrug seizures linked to the gang totalled more than €628,000. (irishtimes.com)
- otherYoung has been a priority target for gardaí in Sligo for over a decade. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherYoung ran one of the four main drugs gangs in Sligo, directing 20 members. (rte.ie)
- otherThe judge said Young could have faced 16 years or more without his guilty plea. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge said the gang was smaller in scope, size and geography than others that have come before the courts. (thejournal.ie)
- otherYoung had 81 previous convictions at the time of his arrest. (thejournal.ie)
- otherYoung sent enforcers he described as 'head-the-balls' and 'Dirty Harrys' to collect drug debts. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge described Young as a scourge on the people of Sligo for a number of years. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherGardaí said the gang had substantial international links. (leitrimobserver.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Jul2023Sligo Criminal Who Was 'Scourge' On Community With Drug Operation Jailed
Only the headline has usable content; the body is unrendered template code. No names, dates or court details are given.
convicted - 31 Jul2023"Scourge" of Sligo jailed for 11 years for directing organised crime
Reports the sentencing at the Special Criminal Court: eleven years in custody after a guilty plea, with the judge's reasons, the headline sentence and the suspended portion, and a Garda comment on the gang.
convicted, Barry Young, 38, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Young - 31 Jul2023Sligo criminal who was 'scourge' on community with drug operation jailed for 11 years
Reports the Special Criminal Court sentencing: a plea of guilty, the 16-year headline sentence reduced to 12 years with the final 12 months suspended, the court's description of the gang, and details from the earlier investigation and hearings.
convicted, Barry Young, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Young - 31 Jul2023'Significant' drug dealer in west of country jailed
Sentencing of Barry Young. The article gives a 12-year sentence with the final year suspended, while its headline says jailed for 11 years. It adds the court's sentencing remarks, the Garda evidence and the financial links.
convicted, Barry Young, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Young - 31 Jul2023Gardai suspect mob boss Barry Young has more hidden assets in Spain
Reports that gardaí suspect Young has hidden assets in Spain, including two apartments and a bar interest, and that he is due to be sentenced.
convicted, Barry Young, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Young - 9 May2023Gang leader thanks Garda for arresting him, court hears
Reports the sentencing hearing: the court heard the gang's drug seizures totalled over €628,000, that Young had €40,000 in cash, and that Young thanked gardaí for arresting him. Young pleaded guilty in March, and sentencing was adjourned to 31 July. Gives the offence period and the phone evidence.
convicted, Barry Young, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Young - 9 May2023Sligo mobster who directed 20-strong member gang in West of Ireland and Leitrim thanked gardaí who arrested him
Reports the Special Criminal Court sentencing hearing on 9 May 2023, where Young had earlier pleaded guilty; the court heard details of the gang, drug seizures, the phone evidence and his counsel's mitigation, and adjourned sentencing to 31 July.
convicted, Barry Young, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Young - 30 Mar2023Gardai in Spain to land fatal blow to Irish crime gang 'helped' by John Gilligan
Reports the Alicante raids targeting Young's gang, reveals gardaí believe John Gilligan was helping the gang establish contacts in Spain, and details Gilligan's separate Spanish charges (drugs by post, weapons possession with a Colt Python .357 Magnum).
suspect, Barry Young, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Youngsuspect, John Gilligan, 71, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Gilligan - 10 Mar2023Sligo man pleads guilty to directing criminal organisation
Barry Young pleaded guilty to directing a criminal organisation at the Special Criminal Court on 10 March 2023; the DPP consented to arraignment on section 14 of the indictment without prejudice; he was remanded in custody to 9 May 2023.
accused, Barry Young, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Young