'Scourge of Sligo' jailed for 11 years for directing organised crime gang involved in drugs

Defendant dispatched enforcers he described as 'head-the-balls' and 'Dirty Harrys' to collect on drug debts, a sentencing hearing was told

Defendant pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court court that he, between October 4, 2019, and January 15, 2022, both dates inclusive, directed the activities of a criminal organisation.

A Sligo criminal who was a "scourge" on his community for years with his drugs operation has been jailed for 11 years by a judge at the Special Criminal Court.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said Barry Young, 38, could have faced 16 years or more had he not pleaded guilty to the charge of directing a criminal organisation.