A teenager, Keane Mulready-Woods, tragically left a poignant final message for his mother before his brutal murder in a gang-related incident that shook Ireland in 2020. The 17-year-old, caught in a drug conflict in Drogheda, was lured to a house on January 12, where he faced horrific torture and decapitation. His body parts were later found discarded in different locations, with his head, hands, and feet discovered in a burnt car in Dublin.
Keane’s death led to a series of retaliatory actions, culminating in the killing of the prime suspect, Robbie Lawlor, who was shot dead while collecting a drug debt. Prior to his disappearance, Keane called his mother, indicating a late return and requesting taxi fare. Operating as a drug courier for a local gang, Keane was under strict curfew orders and had been complying diligently.
When Keane was murdered, he was on parole after being convicted of intimidating a mother regarding her child’s drug debts to the gang. Reports suggest that Lawlor believed Keane was involved in the killing of his brother-in-law, Richie Carberry, leading to Keane’s death.
Lawlor, known for his violent history, allegedly escalated the situation by not just inflicting a “punishment beating” as claimed initially but by torturing Keane and mutilating his remains. Lawlor’s violent tendencies were evident in his past criminal record, which included multiple killings and numerous convictions.
In a tragic turn of events, local criminal Paul Crosby received a 10-year sentence, and his accomplice Gerard “Rocky” Cruise was handed seven years for their involvement in Keane’s murder. Another individual, Gerard ‘Ged’ McKenna, admitted to tampering with evidence related to the crime.
During a victim impact statement on behalf of Keane’s grieving mother Elizabeth, she shared the profound trauma and anguish caused by the heinous act, lamenting the loss of her son in such a barbaric manner. The haunting memories of Keane’s final call for his mother continue to torment her, highlighting the devastating impact of his brutal death.