How the culture of gangland funerals provides gardaí with crucial intelligence

Veteran Dublin drug dealer Tony Felloni’s funeral last week was small and low key. If there was anything to hint at his criminal past it was the playing of the The Godfather theme music. The event was in sharp contrast to extravagant displays at funerals of the new generation of drug dealers.

Irish Times Crime and Security Editor Conor Lally, who has been attending gangland funerals for more than 20 years, explains why the media covers the ceremonies; the key intelligence gardaí have been able to glean over the years from attending the religious services, and how the Catholic Church has responded to the overt symbols of crime and wealth on display at some the funerals, particularly those of young drug dealers.

The funerals he says have become more ostentatious, more flashy, with videos of the day often posted online. But he says at the heart of every gangland funeral is grief, of mothers, fathers, partners, children, those mourning the loss of a beloved family member.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.