Gang boss jailed for 12 years over foiled raid

A gangster whose meticulously-planned raid on a safe in a businessman’s home was thwarted by armed gardaí with grenades and helicopter support has been jailed for 12 years.

His accomplice got seven years for his part in the crime yesterday.

Detective Inspector Brian Goulding said gardaí had confidential information in advance of the planned crime so, instead of the family being held at gunpoint by the gang, gardaí, including armed members of the Regional Support Unit lay in wait for the gang.