The craft and chaos behind the great €2m Mullingar betting coup

Bookmaker Eric Browne pictured in the small square in Listowel at statue of his long time friend John B Keane.Photo Healy Racing (c)

Conor Keane can remember opening the newspaper that October morning over 40 years ago.

A mysterious group - the ‘South of Ireland gang’ - had caught the bookies in a dazzling betting coup for well over €2 million in today’s money.