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Clash of the Clans
Irish mafia from the streets of Dublin to the highest echelons of global organised crime and right into the heart of professional boxing.
When a weigh-in turns into a gangland bloodbath, the tables begin to turn on the powerful Kinahan Organised Crime Group. But is it too late to tame the beast, or can the law finally catch up with the mob?
Best-selling author and award-winning crime journalist Nicola Tallant brings the listener on her own journey of discovery as she delves into the dangerous underworld where a golden era of cocaine turned a brat pack of street dealers into an international mafia.
With a unique insight into the rise of mob and its reach into boxing through a tapestry of confidential informants and some too-close-for-comfort experiences, Tallant brings to life one of the most extraordinary stories in modern organised crime.
Following the trail from the local authority estates of the Irish capital to the gilded mansions of Dubai, Clash of the The Rise of the Irish Narcos and Boxing’s Dirty Secret powers through the intriguing tale of the cocaine cowboys and the rivalries that threaten to bring down an empire.
When a weigh-in turns into a gangland bloodbath, the tables begin to turn on the powerful Kinahan Organised Crime Group. But is it too late to tame the beast, or can the law finally catch up with the mob?
Best-selling author and award-winning crime journalist Nicola Tallant brings the listener on her own journey of discovery as she delves into the dangerous underworld where a golden era of cocaine turned a brat pack of street dealers into an international mafia.
With a unique insight into the rise of mob and its reach into boxing through a tapestry of confidential informants and some too-close-for-comfort experiences, Tallant brings to life one of the most extraordinary stories in modern organised crime.
Following the trail from the local authority estates of the Irish capital to the gilded mansions of Dubai, Clash of the The Rise of the Irish Narcos and Boxing’s Dirty Secret powers through the intriguing tale of the cocaine cowboys and the rivalries that threaten to bring down an empire.
- GenresIreland
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Published October 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 13, 2023
Criminologist and investigative journalist Nicola Tallant’s Clash of the Clans is both a documentation of the savage feud between Dublin crime families the Kinahan’s and the Hutches, as well as being an exposé of Daniel Kinahan’s involvement in the World of professional boxing and the links of the sport to organized crime.
The Kinahan/Hutch simmering feud erupted into all-out war in early 2016 with the attempted assassination of drug mob Godfather Daniel Kinahan during a boxing weigh-in at a Dublin airport hotel in revenge for his murder in Spain of a leading Hutch gang figure, Gary Hutch. The airport hotel shooting instead claimed the life of one of Kinahan’s cohorts and henchmen. The ensuing bloodbath raged over several years with shootings of both the innocent and not-so-innocent.
Tallant documents how the Irish mafia / mob grew from humble roots in Dublin’s poorest and most deprived neighborhoods to being a vast cartel of organized crime with connections to fellow mobsters throughout Europe and the World, and how its leading figures established themselves in a lifestyle of opulence and wealth on first the Costa del Sol and later Dubai, a million miles from their gritty Dublin origins. She describes in revelatory detail how a sport - boxing, in the form of the MTK organization founded and controlled by Daniel Kinahan - was hijacked and tainted by organized crime.
At the center of the story is the figure of Daniel Kinahan himself, a ruthless, cunning and manipulative killer portrayed as a sort of cross between Michael Corleone and Pablo Escobar. The bloodthirsty killing spree he unleashed on anyone who crossed him at one point threatened to get beyond the abilities of the Irish police and legal system to control, and had begun to turn areas of Dublin into something resembling a narco-terrorist setting akin to Colombia or Mexico.
Whilst Tallant’s writing style is more Sunday World than Financial Times, she must be commended for her tenacity and bravery for digging this story out and bringing it to light in all it’s ugliness, especially after the fate of fellow journalist Veronica Guerin. Tallant builds her story through surveillance, research and interviews with informants, henchmen and operatives of the mob gangs. She has endured relentless abuse on social media as well as physical threats, and has to contend with tight budgets and deadlines whilst pitted against the limitless wealth and resources of the mobsters.
Clash of the Clans ends before the story is told - at time of writing of this review, an epic trial of Gerry Hutch on murder charges at Dublin’s criminal court has just wrapped up and is awaiting a verdict. Daniel Kinahan remains at large and in control of his empire, living in luxury in the Gulf and most likely in terrified paranoia as to whether he’ll end his days in prison after being finally extradited to Ireland, the UK or Spain to face criminal charges or then betrayed and shot dead one day when he steps outside the gates of one of his gilded cages. Meanwhile, the drugs he and his rivals peddle continue to ruin lives, families and communities in the most deprived parts of Ireland while the kingpins of the trade bask in unimaginable wealth and luxury.
The Kinahan/Hutch simmering feud erupted into all-out war in early 2016 with the attempted assassination of drug mob Godfather Daniel Kinahan during a boxing weigh-in at a Dublin airport hotel in revenge for his murder in Spain of a leading Hutch gang figure, Gary Hutch. The airport hotel shooting instead claimed the life of one of Kinahan’s cohorts and henchmen. The ensuing bloodbath raged over several years with shootings of both the innocent and not-so-innocent.
Tallant documents how the Irish mafia / mob grew from humble roots in Dublin’s poorest and most deprived neighborhoods to being a vast cartel of organized crime with connections to fellow mobsters throughout Europe and the World, and how its leading figures established themselves in a lifestyle of opulence and wealth on first the Costa del Sol and later Dubai, a million miles from their gritty Dublin origins. She describes in revelatory detail how a sport - boxing, in the form of the MTK organization founded and controlled by Daniel Kinahan - was hijacked and tainted by organized crime.
At the center of the story is the figure of Daniel Kinahan himself, a ruthless, cunning and manipulative killer portrayed as a sort of cross between Michael Corleone and Pablo Escobar. The bloodthirsty killing spree he unleashed on anyone who crossed him at one point threatened to get beyond the abilities of the Irish police and legal system to control, and had begun to turn areas of Dublin into something resembling a narco-terrorist setting akin to Colombia or Mexico.
Whilst Tallant’s writing style is more Sunday World than Financial Times, she must be commended for her tenacity and bravery for digging this story out and bringing it to light in all it’s ugliness, especially after the fate of fellow journalist Veronica Guerin. Tallant builds her story through surveillance, research and interviews with informants, henchmen and operatives of the mob gangs. She has endured relentless abuse on social media as well as physical threats, and has to contend with tight budgets and deadlines whilst pitted against the limitless wealth and resources of the mobsters.
Clash of the Clans ends before the story is told - at time of writing of this review, an epic trial of Gerry Hutch on murder charges at Dublin’s criminal court has just wrapped up and is awaiting a verdict. Daniel Kinahan remains at large and in control of his empire, living in luxury in the Gulf and most likely in terrified paranoia as to whether he’ll end his days in prison after being finally extradited to Ireland, the UK or Spain to face criminal charges or then betrayed and shot dead one day when he steps outside the gates of one of his gilded cages. Meanwhile, the drugs he and his rivals peddle continue to ruin lives, families and communities in the most deprived parts of Ireland while the kingpins of the trade bask in unimaginable wealth and luxury.
May 13, 2025
The story of the Kinahans, from their humble beginnings as Dublin criminals to their rise as the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, a global cartel of drug Lords. Christy Kinahan Senior and his two sons Daniel and Christopher known as Irelands Mafia became major players in the drugs trade from their base in Spain. From there began the infamous Hutch Kinahan feud with North inner city Dublin criminal family the Hutches which left many dead in its wake.
In later years Daniel Kinahan got his claws into the boxing world from his beginnings with MGM gym in Marbella, later MTK. The controversy this brought to the world of boxing has split the sport apart and forced Kinahan out eventually.
Nicola Tallant is one of Irelands leading crime reporters and this is her story of the Kinahans, who she has spent many years on the trail of. Really enjoyed this one as I have a great interest in Irish gangland subject.
In later years Daniel Kinahan got his claws into the boxing world from his beginnings with MGM gym in Marbella, later MTK. The controversy this brought to the world of boxing has split the sport apart and forced Kinahan out eventually.
Nicola Tallant is one of Irelands leading crime reporters and this is her story of the Kinahans, who she has spent many years on the trail of. Really enjoyed this one as I have a great interest in Irish gangland subject.
January 9, 2024
Written by somebody who has truly lived the story. Fascinating amount of detail on the rise of one of Europe's biggest organised crime groups and their invasion of Boxing.
Only negatives were I felt a degree of bias towards the Hutch's, while understandable to a degree they are ultimately still violent criminals. The other negative is at times the story becomes a little too much about the author, but this is understandable given her proximity to the events that unfolded and doesn't hinder the book in any major way.
Overall, an extremely interesting read and highly recommended.
Only negatives were I felt a degree of bias towards the Hutch's, while understandable to a degree they are ultimately still violent criminals. The other negative is at times the story becomes a little too much about the author, but this is understandable given her proximity to the events that unfolded and doesn't hinder the book in any major way.
Overall, an extremely interesting read and highly recommended.
January 9, 2022
I'm lifelong boxing fan who is well-aware of the colorful history of the sport; but wasn't aware of just how serious the connection between Irish gangsters and the sport is. Quite the read as we learn some of the biggest stars in boxing today are being managed and advised by a leading Irish drug dealer and gangster. Boxing is truly the red light district of professional sports.
April 17, 2022
A good book, lots of detail. She is clearly very good at what she does. Only let down is there is a bias in the book. Hutch crew described fair nicer if that's the correct term, almost look ordinary decent criminals compared to Kinahans. Whereas both are seriously violent gangs. Fast paced read though.
August 13, 2024
Brilliant read, brings you right inside the Hutch-Kinahan feud, then dives deep into the Kinahan faction. Found the pieces on the links with MTK Boxing very interesting, and learnt plenty despite thinking I’m pretty clued in on that scene. Would love another bonus chapter or even book if the Kinahan cartel is ever brought to justice. Highly recommend.
May 31, 2022
Not bad, very anti drugs and seems like the author has taken sides, doesn’t really get down to any real evidence it’s all rumours but I suppose it’s difficult to provide the evidence when the gangsters are all on the run
October 26, 2021
awesome
Just fantastic detail
A lot of people have ruined hard earned reputations
Shocking insight into a fucked up world.
Look forward to the demise
Just fantastic detail
A lot of people have ruined hard earned reputations
Shocking insight into a fucked up world.
Look forward to the demise
July 1, 2022
Interesting insight to what's happening in professional boxing
December 26, 2021
Really very poor effort out of Nichola tall ant. Some decent new info in it but NOTHING to justify the price.
She also made some horrendously basic errors in it. Calling cousins brothers, getting names wrong etc of sone really well known characters. So if that’s wrong, then how can you trust the rest ??
If it’s in the bargain bin it MIGHT be worth a punt but honestly just stay away from this books. It’s shite and a robbery
She also made some horrendously basic errors in it. Calling cousins brothers, getting names wrong etc of sone really well known characters. So if that’s wrong, then how can you trust the rest ??
If it’s in the bargain bin it MIGHT be worth a punt but honestly just stay away from this books. It’s shite and a robbery
February 8, 2024
Names, names and - guess what? - more names.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews