The suspected leader of a Dublin gang known as the "Westies", who was involved in a shoot-out with gardaí in Co Cavan last week, is now the prime suspect for the theft of rare birds from a zoo in Co Meath.
Gardaí confirmed that during a search of an apartment in Navan, Co Meath, used by the 29-year-old leader of the "Westies", carried out within hours of the Virginia shootings, they recovered two of four parrots taken in the break-in at Grove Gardens mini-zoo near Navan 12 days ago.
"We believe the other two birds, including Cocky the cockatoo, were there, but that the gang released them when the zoo's owner, Pat Dillon, went to the press appealing for their return," a garda said yesterday.
Criminals have frequently stolen rare and exotic animals, and according to one Garda source, the "Westies" leader would have stolen the birds after visiting the zoo and deciding exactly what he wanted.
Parrots have become extremely popular in Ireland in recent years, and there is demand on the black market for such birds. One garda said the gang member "would steal anything".
It is believed it took 12-year-old Cocky over a week to fly from Navan to Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, where he was found.
He was born in London, and was bought by Mr Dillon seven years ago. He brightens up the menagerie at the zoo with his Cockney accent, his imitations, wolf whistles and asking the unsuspecting: "Who's a pretty boy?"
He was caught after he imitated a Kinnegad man having a smoke outside his house.
"The man coughed, Cocky coughed, then landed on his shoulder, turned to face him and gave him a kiss! He got the fright of his life," Mr Dillon said.
The man brought him into his house, and made contact with the zoo.
Meanwhile, gardaí are confident they will arrest the gang leader. "We believe he is lying low in Dublin, and receiving medical treatment, possibly for two gunshot wounds. We are confident we have identified him and that he will be charged," Garda sources said yesterday.