A vicious convicted Dublin gangster who is currently on the run abroad is feared to be returning home after a close young associate of his was charged by Gardai on Saturday over the sale and supply of drugs in north Dublin.
Notorious Ballymun thug Nicky McConnell, who is suspected to be involved with the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, made the vow to come home after hearing that one of his close links on the ground here in the capital was caught with cannabis and cocaine following the search of a house in the area at around 8am this morning.
McConnell, 34, is believed to be on the run from gangsters in Ireland following the murder of Garth Hutch.
Despite keeping a low profile in recent years, the criminal crept out of the woodwork this morning following the news, warning those that forced him to flee his north Dublin patch that 'he is still around'.
A source told Dublin Live: "Nicky has an up and coming group of young associates that are hungry and ready to work for him in Ireland.
"He's sending a warning around to Gardai and locals that he hasn't gone away and that just because he's not on the ground doesn't mean the work isn't being done.
"Nicky was angry when he heard the news this morning and vowed to come home.
"It's believed he has been in and out of the country a few times over the last year. Nicky McConnell is still here and he's not going anywhere."
McConnell has a number of previous convictions - he has served time for threatening to kill a woman and put her in the boot of his car as she collected her son from school.
He received a three year jail term for the threat to kill the young mother. He has also been jailed for €16,000 of the drug "snow blow" at his home in October 2010.
McConnell was also spotted by Gardai with a sawn-off shotgun in Cork but did not receive any further charges.
A Garda spokesman confirmed the charge to Dublin Live saying: "Gardaí conducted a search at a residence in Ballymun this morning, 6 June at approximately 8.25am.
"Gardaí seized quantities of cannabis and cocaine during the course of the search.
"A man was arrested at the scene and taken to Ballymun Garda Station where he has since been charged and is now due to appear before the Courts."
