The Witness

by Nicola Tallant

'A superb book... Joey's story is extraordinary and its authenticity and relevance to the times we're living in is stunning' Eamon Dunphy

'Gritty, terrifying and the most incredible true gangland story you will ever read. The Witness is hard to put down but will be harder to forget.' Donal MacIntyre

Joey O'Callaghan was just 18 years old when he became a ghost - the youngest ever person to be signed up to the Witness Protection Programme.

Groomed into a drug gang from the age of 10, a cold-blooded assassination sickened him to his core, and he broke the golden bond of gangland silence. His evidence won murder convictions against two of the most violent drug bosses in Ireland.

Relocated to England with a new identity, Joey had to face the world alone, and soon realised it was he who had received the life sentence.

15 years on, the ripple effects of the gunshots that rang out that night continue to leave a devastating legacy for everyone. None more so than Joey 'The Lips'.

This is his story.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Audiobook, Biography, Memoir

Paperback

Published May 6, 2021

Reviews

[Keith Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I couldn't put it down. Some uncomfortable reading in places but a fascinating, heartbreaking story. I will be writing to the minister on this to keep that monster locked up.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had read this book not knowing it was a true story I would have thought it was too far fetched. The fact that this is the story of the life of a young boy who only wanted to please and do well and who was subsequently destroyed is both incredible and sad.

[Rali · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely incredible, i couldn’t put it down.
i didn’t know much about the gangs and drugs of ireland, this was such an awful story but written so well. i hope he’s doing ok nowadays

[Richard Fogarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a good read some parts seem very far fetched, like a child just gone 12 up all day and night doing line after line of coke come on now, also I highly doubt a crime gang would have a young child hanging around with them listening to every word and be trusted, also would a mother who supposedly loved her child so much let her 12 year old go to live with a stranger without making hardly any sort of effort to get him back

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Couldn't put it down. A real eye opener. A frightening account of the life of a young boy embroiled in Dublin's Underworld. Very well written.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best audiobook I've ever listened to.

Joseph "Joey" O'Callaghan is the youngest person ever to go into the Irish Witness Protection Programme at the age of 19.

A truly horrifying story about an innocent 12 year old groomed and brought into, unknowingly, Irish drugs gangland in the 1990's and 2000's. I love my horror books but this true story is in a different league. It is gripping and terrifying in equal measures and is one that gave me actual nightmares. Brilliantly narrated, it has me living in this hellish world for the time I was listening to it. Highly recommend for fans of true crime.

[Lucie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in a while

[Amanda Salt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing read.

This book is well written and easy to read. It is uncomfortable and harrowing in places. It is an insight into gangland culture and the journey in and out for Joey 'the lips'.
I'd recommend it for those who like to read 'true life'.

[mr oj pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Very interesting book, illustrates how nasty and duplicitous these world of organised crime is, the scene in Ireland is now a lot worse , areas of Dublin are mini narco states

[Thomas Canavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A harrowing true life story

A distressing and slightly biased account of how gangland crime ruins lives as told by one of its participants and victims.
Unfortunately there were plenty of grammatical and typing errors in its text.
Worth a read though!

[Martha.O.S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gripping read, one i listened to, written and read by Nicola Tallant. She released a podcast series in 2021 based on this book.

The book tells the story of Joey, “The Lips”, who at 18 years old was signed up to the Witness Protection programme, assigning him to a new life in England but one where he was forever a shadow, living in fear and loneliness with no real experience of how to create a life of value while still reeling from the overwhelm of all that went before. From as young as 10, he was groomed for a life of drug dealing, becoming a runner for Brian who told him he was like a son, praising him to the nines one moment, but turning on him and violently attacking him the next, later subjecting him to rape and abuse. The more secrets he lets him in on, the more embroiled and incriminated he becomes, becoming stuck into the only life he knows, moving further and further away from his beloved mother and family of origin, the gangland crew becoming his new family. As Brian branches out dealing with drug lord Henchon, the pressure mounts and when an extremely violent killing takes place, of Jonathan, only a few years older than Joey, he cannot bear it any more, and risks everything to break silence. Following an initial protection by the state, while information is being shared to put away Brian and Henchon, Joey is then left to flounder with a new identity, living out a decade in England, the loneliest he has ever been, trying but failing to find his path and eventually suffering a full mental breakdown. Coming back to Ireland, to his mother, he tries again, but seems continually betrayed by his past.

This was a fascinating account of a story I knew very little about, really well recounted, giving us Joey’s background and that of his parents, and how he slipped into the hands of a very real drug and gangland scene in Ireland. It showed the dark side of Dublin, the growing reliance and spread of drug use and the tentacled arms that connect the gang leaders and drug users and that keep drawing Joey back to a past he can’t seem to shake off. Completely let down by the state, he really struggles in his later life to get any foothold on a life of meaning and peace.

It is gritty, dark and sad and I hope Joey is doing ok now. A strong recommend.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well deserved 5 stars - something which I only give to books which blow me away.

Deeply powerful, disturbing, mesmerising, and all consuming, this is superb biography.

It's beyond shocking, incomprehensible and heart breaking what Joey was subjected to, over and over. Every person who was supposed to protect him did the very opposite.

What stunned me was his determination to be the best human he could. Never compromising on his own moral compass. His continued ability to be sympathetic and empathetic even often to his own physical detriment.

A man with bravery beyond words even when he was just a child. There is no doubt his courage and willingness to speak out and give evidence saved many other lives.

Joey and his story will stay with me for a long time.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harrowing account of a 12 year old boy who is groomed into joining with a hardened criminal in Dublin. The youngest person ever to go into witness protection when he finally found the courage to tell the Garda. The account remains harrowing on the other side, as he tries to live a normal life without everyday life skills and having various mental health problems without being provided with support. Good and evil isn’t a black and white issue. I hope this young man goes on to find happiness and contentment if he hasn’t as yet.

[Shane Colton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels inappropriate to say but I really enjoyed this book. I had started the podcast but struggled to get into that but the book is way better. The book is very well written and has a harrowing and surreal plot to it, it nearly reads more like a crime fiction novel. My heart goes out to Joey and from reading the book it's clear he has had so many doors closed and setbacks and the rewards for doing the right thing were miniscule.....I'm wish him health and happiness. For any true crime readers, this book is a must.

[Kelli Barczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admire Joey’s brutal honesty and vulnerability throughout. Joey really is a truly brave man who is accountable for his actions (even though he was a child). It is truly terrifying how easily it is to be groomed and how easily these predators can sniff out the vulnerable. Joey is certainly not weak, as for his mother and family, they are outstanding. I wish he had the life he deserves and can be eventually happy and be safe. Once again the state has shown its selfishness and let a young boy down and hung him out to dry!

[Catherine Massey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Nicola Tallant’s podcast ‘The witness, in his own words’ about Joey o’callahan, so i decided to buy her book. I really couldnt get into the first half of the book, it seemed quite repetitive. However, I stuck with it and really enjoyed the last half. Its unbelievable how a boy, so young was allowed to live with this man. Brian Kenny was such a monster and should be locked up forever.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Joey The Lips O'Callaghan who became involved with a Dublin gangster at a very young age which lead to him spending all of his teenage years under his control and dealing drugs.

Joey eventually turned 'grass' after a sickening murder and fearing for his own life. This lead to him being placed on the Witness Protection Scheme where he still remains.

Totally engrossing read. As much horrifying as it is page turning. Highly recommended.

[Ciaran Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in simple and plane English this book is a harrowing and gripping read. While difficult to absorb it’s a fascinating insight into gangland crime in Dublin. Joey’s story is incredible and his strength and determination despite his circumstances are unbelievable. A must read, but not before bed!

[Sarah R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook, and finished in 2 days. I was completely riveted by this book from beginning to end. What a horrifying and moving story. It was beautifully written despite the dark subject matter. I hope Joey is continuing to recover and take care of himself and that Brian Kinney rots in jail forever.
TW: domestic abuse, child abuse, drug use, gang violence, sexual assault/rape of a minor

[Iain Muir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read plenty of true crime books in my time with lots of messed up content, but there were parts of this I found very uncomfortable.

The book itself is good, but just good. It was repetitive in many places and is definitely not a book I would pick up to read again. Though, an interesting story nonetheless.

[Michelle Creagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching

A great read , I am a young mother of two boys I can relate to the stories of growing up in Ireland and the drug epidemic around us. As a mother this is the nightmare we fear for our kids . He is a courageous young man for sharing his story and it just goes to show anyone can make one wrong decision but anyone can also make one right decision too . 10/10 book for me

[Sarah Cleary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a gripping and sad story about State witness Joseph O'Callaghan. This book gives a first hand account into a young person experiencing gangland Ireland in its prime. Hung on every word from beginning to end.

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

No se merece cuatro estrellas pero me ha conmovido la reacción del chico al atreverse a ser un delator con los peligros y dramas que vienen despues como consecuencia de su declaración.

Me ha dado tanta pena su vida en los años posteriores.....

[Cathal Shanahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very solid book on life in Ireland living in the gang lands during 1990s and early 2000s. Also interesting to highlight how little of a clue people in the country had as it’s mental how much the witness protection program failed him when it’s supposed to protect him.

[Kate Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, hard to believe this goes on, no doubt plenty of other kids have fallen through the cracks this way

[Kellie Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing story. Excellently written.

[kayleigh mccormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Really loved Joseph's story! It was Honest and admiring that anyone who reads it can take something away from it!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, interesting book. Very sad.

[Laura Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing true crime story. Impossible to forget

[Karen Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary, brutally honest great read