A 17-year-old teenager, who was abducted and brutally dismembered, sent a chilling final text message to his mother before his savage killing by a criminal gang. The tragic murder of Keane Mulready-Woods in 2020 shocked Ireland, with the young victim being lured to a location in Drogheda on January 12 as part of a violent drug turf war. He underwent horrific torture before being decapitated, and his limbs were later discarded from a vehicle onto a street in Moatview. Subsequently, his head, hands, and feet were found in a burned car in Dublin.
The killing of Keane sparked a series of violent reprisals, culminating in the death of the main suspect, Robbie Lawlor, who was gunned down while pursuing a drug-related debt. Before his disappearance, Keane had called his mother, telling her he would be home late and asking for taxi money. He was involved in drug trafficking for a local criminal group and was under strict instructions to return before nightfall, which he had been following.
At the time of his death, Keane was on parole after being convicted of intimidating a mother about her child’s drug debts to the gang. Lawlor allegedly believed Keane was involved in the fatal shooting of his brother-in-law, leading to the brutal killing. Law enforcement suspect Lawlor escalated from planning a beating for a minor drug debt to torturing and killing Keane.
An informant revealed Lawlor’s obsession with Keane and his belief that Keane was linked to the death of his brother-in-law. Lawlor had a history of violence, with numerous criminal offenses before his own death. Despite being acquitted of attempted murder in December, Lawlor faced retaliation from a past victim shortly after. This retaliation led to Lawlor planning revenge against Keane, who was present during the altercation. Images circulated post the murder hinted at Lawlor’s vindictive intentions.
In February 2023, Paul Crosby was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in Keane’s murder, while Gerard “Rocky” Cruise received a seven-year sentence. Another individual, Gerard ‘Ged’ McKenna, confessed to cleaning up and disposing of evidence from the crime scene. In a poignant victim impact statement, Keane’s mother Elizabeth described the anguish of losing her son in such a brutal manner and the lasting trauma it has caused.
This tragic incident sheds light on the dark and cruel realities of crime in the country, leaving Keane’s family and the community devastated.
