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. 3129Money laundering, drug crime, organised crime · Co. Dublin · 7 May 2026

Two men charged with drug-crime and money-laundering offences linked to Ghost app

Paul Kelly (55) and Noel Smyth (63) appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 8 May 2026, each facing eight charges including facilitating a criminal organisation, money laundering and possession of drugs, following a Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau investigation into the use of the Ghost encrypted messaging app. Both were remanded in custody at Cloverhill Prison to appear before the Special Criminal Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged8 May
    3 reports
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
42 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe arrests were made as part of an ongoing operation targeting an organised crime group. (garda.ie)
  • whatThe investigation relates to Irish suspects allegedly using the Ghost app, a secret encrypted messaging system used by alleged crime gangs in Australia and other countries. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo men were each charged with eight gangland offences (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGhost ECC was a secure phone system used by criminals to communicate (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe Ghost texts are now in the hands of police forces across Europe including An Garda Síochána (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereKelly lives at Cloverhill Drive, Ballyfermot, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereKelly was taken to Clondalkin Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSmyth lives at Summit Lodge, Kilanerin, Gorey, Co Wexford. (irishtimes.com)
  • wherePaul Kelly lives on Cloverhill Drive in Ballyfermot, west Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereNoel Smyth lives at Summit Lodge, Kilanerin, Gorey, Co Wexford (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenKelly was arrested at his home in Ballyfermot on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenSmyth was arrested at his home on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenBoth men were arrested at their homes on Thursday night 7 May 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe GNDOCB arrested two adult males on 7 May 2026 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and the Eastern Region. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations into the organised crime group are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation by the Garda's Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has been in progress since 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Ghost app was infiltrated by international law enforcement in 2024, with arrests in multiple countries including Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMany of the messages allegedly linked to suspects in Ireland have remained under investigation since the app takedown in September 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation was carried out by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Kate Gilligan from DOCB arrested Kelly just after 9pm on Thursday at Cloverhill Road, Ballyfermot (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationKelly was charged at Clondalkin Garda Station at 10.35pm and made no reply (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Dean Healy arrested Smyth at 9.45pm on Thursday (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe two adult males have been charged in relation to the investigation. (garda.ie)
  • chargePaul Kelly (55) and Noel Smyth (63) each face eight charges including facilitating a criminal organisation, money laundering, possession of drugs and possession of drugs for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeSmyth also faces a charge of drug importation. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBoth men are accused of facilitating the activities of a criminal gang (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBoth men are accused of possession of cocaine (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBoth men are accused of possession of cocaine with intent to supply (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBoth men are accused of laundering €22,220 between August and September 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeNoel Smyth is also accused of importing drugs (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe two men are due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court number 1, on 8 May 2026 at 10:30am. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe DPP decided both men will be tried on indictment before the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe information was relayed to Judge Michele Finan. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThere were no applications for bail and both suspects were remanded in custody at Cloverhill Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtApplications for legal aid were granted by Judge Finan. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP directed that both men be tried on indictment before the Special Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Michele Finan remanded both men in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court the following Friday (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Ghost app was run from Sydney. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDetective garda Kate Gilligan told the court Kelly made no reply after he was cautioned. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDetective garda Dean Healy told the court Smyth made no reply when the charges were put to him. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherWorldwide, several thousand people used Ghost, which had its own infrastructure and applications with a network of resellers based in several countries. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAbout 1,000 messages were being exchanged each day via the app. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 May2026
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Two men charged over 'Ghost' phone system linked to gangland offences

    Reports the arrest, charging and first court appearance of two men linked to the Ghost ECC phone system, with the DPP directing trial in the Special Criminal Court.

    accused, Paul Kelly, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Kellyaccused, Noel Smyth, 64, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Smyth
  2. 8 May2026
    Chargedirishtimes.com, first report
    Two Dublin men charged with drug-crime and money-laundering offences linked to Ghost app

    Details of arrests, charges, and first court appearance for two men linked to the Ghost app investigation; DPP to proceed by way of indictment before the Special Criminal Court.

    suspect, Paul Kelly, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Kellysuspect, Noel Smyth, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Smyth
  3. 8 May2026
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance- GNDOCB, DMR and Eastern Region- 8th May 2026

    Garda press release confirming the arrest and charging of two men in an organised crime operation; no specific offence, names or further details provided.

    suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 60s, male