Tralee thread

what I heard was his mrs was from a rich Dublin Family ,so who knows who was the brains of the operation

Ego and adrenaline are one thing, downright stupidity is another. And it's downright stupidity to get involved in something as nefarious, whatever the debt pressure and whatever the temptations. And this guy isn't stupid, he's well educated and obviously smart and astute if he can run all those businesses.

Now maybe the guy is just a bad egg. I don't know him personally, but as a keen gardener I'd be a customer, so often had dealings with both himself and his mother and I always found him very polite, knowledgeable and helpful. But then again people can wear many masks. But you'd still wonder how he started in crime if indeed he's found guilty. The other dodgy characters involved in this would not appear to be the type he'd ever rub shoulders with. As for his mother, I'd be beyond gobsmacked if there was even a hint that she was aware of what was going on. And I certainly hope not. I feel very sorry for her and for him too, not to mention his three little boys. There are only losers in this, which again makes you wonder how he could have been so stupid or so desperate.

He must have been in serious financial trouble.

It's complete madness to get involved in the drugs business if you're already successful.

Most people who get involved are from deprived backgrounds and are a product of their environment.

Maybe he thought it would be easy money just fiddling a bit of paperwork.

He's no different to the other man charged with him but typical white collar bias he'll get a certain amount of "wasn't he stupid/he's a nice man/ what about the poor family" etc

Everyone will automatically look down at JL and refer to him in a completely diff context than to NMCD

Well he might but that would mean him and his family going into witness protection in some far flung corner of the earth. I hear Mexico has nice weather and surely the cartel wouldn't think twice about him being under their noses.

I'd have no doubt Bernie started out all about the plants but the cafe part took over and sure why wouldn't you run with it! Doubt it was the plan, it just got bigger and bigger, every time you went out there pre Covid more and more space was taken up with tables, sure some days people even sat at the garden furniture displays that were for sale! To me it was more akin to Avoca and sure that's fine too as that's what the demand was for obviously.

Anyway I think I've discussed them enough, who knows what went on! It's all just sad for everyone involved in all families.

I'd agree that there will be an element of class to it all but the evidence will all come out in the wash. The media can't say too much at the moment etc. It seems that one of the individuals was monitored on encrochat as appears to have been up to his eyes in this filth for a long time.

The other one you'd wonder about alright. Greed, stupidity, arrogance, getting in with the wrong crowd through personal use of supply, who knows.

There's a man in Mecim.xick or somewhere down a very significant amount of money so I can't see either talking if they have much sense.

Wouldnt even feel 1% sorry for them.

I'd imagine there is a margin in this business of soiled goods/products seized along the way but its a pretty big amount in this instance hence I'd be surprised if the two boys don't keep their traps shut. I dont think I'd be inclined to talk personally.

Rumours around that he's been involved in drugs for 20 odd years, the rumours didn't say was he using or dealing for all that time... Always had cash and never afraid to let people know either, buying drinks for the whole bar in Cheltenham kinda thing... some people are saying they feel sorry for him & all that but the line of business he was in, to quote Omar, its all in the game...

When thinking about how he might have got into this, 'personal supply' has come to my mind

Possibly taking drugs himself, lots of partying going on, a hefty debt might easily have built up which he might not have been in a position to pay.

He might have been offered 2 options, 1 - work with/for his debtors and make LOTS of money, or 2 - Face the consequences of an unpaid debt to a drug dealer.

In the scenario above either option isnt great!

Only pure guesswork of course, but a lot of people get into drug dealing as a result of drug taking. albeit in a MUCH smaller scale

Was there something on Radio Kerry this morning that Ballyseedy cant pay suppliers?

Its a minefield of companies, with changes made recently afaik

Is that the start of a full wind up of operations at the garden centre I wonder?

Seems underhand to me, so there was nothing in the restaurant company account to pay suppliers before they swapped to Smaash...

And they think suppliers will continue to supply them?