The Department of Foreign Affairs is monitoring reports that the suspected leader of the so-called "Westies" criminal gang may have been kidnapped along with a close associate near a Spanish holiday resort.
The men, both from west Dublin, were abducted from an apartment in Alicante ten days ago, according to reports this morning. The kidnapping is thought to be linked to a dispute over drugs between the Dublin-based "Westies" gang and a Mediterranean criminal gang.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told ireland.comthey had yet to be contacted by the consul in Spain but were aware of the report.
The two are thought to have fled to Spain following a shootout between members of their gang and gardaí in Virginia, Co Cavan, last May.