A major drug dealer who was killed in a motorcycle smash was travelling in convoy with a pal who was hospitalised following the incident.
Ian McMorrow, who was being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau, died following a crash with a car at around 8.30pm on the N16 at Glencar, Sligo on Thursday night.
McMorrow was pronounced dead at the scene while his pal on a second motorbike was rushed to hospital with injuries but was released on Thursday.
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While the garda investigation is in its early stages, it is believed that McMorrow was travelling at speed when a driver was edging out to turn onto the road.
It is understood McMorrow attempted to go around the car but collided with it, with his motorbike then hitting his pal who was travelling behind him on a similar type vehicle.
McMorrow - who is set to be buried on Monday - was a violent drug dealer with over 50 convictions with ties to Sligo gang boss Patrick Irwin, who previously was targeted by CAB.
The hood sold cannabis, cocaine and had various spells behind bars.
Sources say that he had worked mostly with violent gang boss Patrick Irwin, who was previously hit by CAB, over the years.
However, more recently father of three McMorrow had branched out and had his own crew around him.
One source told us: “There’s no doubt that he was a big player in the northwest over the years.
“And for most of that time his claim to fame was his connection to Patrick Irwin and that gang.
“But there is a belief he had built his own faction in more recent years when Patrick Irwin was behind bars for a stint.”
Another source said: “McMorrow has been heavily involved in the drugs trade since his early 20s.
“He was a very aggressive character at one stage but it did seem he had calmed down in that regard as he got older.
“But you know when someone is targeted by CAB, they’re up to their neck in it.”
McMorrow was recently described in the High Court as being “actively involved in the sale and supply of drugs.”
The CAB case against McMorrow stemmed from a raid in 2021 in which a Volkswagen Golf and a cash bundle were seized along with jewellery.
And Judge Alex Owens said in May that it was “reasonable” to believe the 172 car, two diamond rings and €5000 were funded by the “drugs trade.” McMorrow did not challenge the case.
A receiver was appointed with the power to sell the car and jewellery.
McMorrow’s wake is set to take place from today and on Sunday before his funeral at St Anne’s Church, Sligo on Monday. He will then be buried at Sligo cemetery.
Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the car crash on Thursday night to come forward.
A spokesman said: “Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N16 at Glencar between 8pm and 8:40pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Carrick on Shannon Garda station on 071 965 0510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”
