NETHERLANDS: Dublin Gangster 'Fat Freddie Thompson' Arrested: UPDATED

Freddie Thompson is wanted in connection with an assault in a pub in Dublin in January of last year

A major Dublin criminal has been arrested in the Netherlands on foot of an extradition warrant.

Freddie Thompson, from Loreto Road in Maryland, Dublin 8, was detained by Dutch police today.

A false ID card and a falsely-obtained genuine passport were also seized.

UPDATE:

CRIME boss 'Fat' Freddie Thompson has been arrested wearing a disguise including a fake beard.

The mobster is wanted by gardai in connection with a violent disorder investigation following a row in a Dublin pub last year.

He was arrested when heavily armed Dutch police stormed a flat in Amsterdam yesterday.

The international warrant for his arrest was issued in January and it was thought that he was in Spain.

But the 33-year-old, from Loreto Road in Maryland, Dublin 8, was found hiding in a rundown area of Amsterdam where he had been living under an assumed name.

The Herald has learned that Dutch detectives learned of his whereabouts some time ago but had to be certain that the suspect was Thompson before making their move.

As a result of fresh intelligence, they decided to detain him yesterday and a special team of armed officers surrounded the flat before arresting him.

When he was detained, he was found in possession of false ID documents and a genuine passport, which had been doctored to match the ID.

Thompson was extradited to Spain two-and-a-half years ago after the Spanish authorities named him as a member of an international organisation based on the Costa del Sol.

The gang has members in a number of countries including Spain, the UK and Ireland.

Thompson had been living in Spain, but travelled regularly to Ireland.

He is currently on bail in Spain and being investigated there after police linked him to the organised crime empire of Christy Kinahan.

Detectives suspect Thompson worked for cocaine cartel controller Kinahan, dealing his drugs and laundering the proceeds.

Up to 30 members of the Kinahan mob were arrested by Spanish police in May 2010 under Operation Shovel.

While Thompson was not in Spain at the time Kinahan's gang were lifted, gardai arrested him here and sent him back in October 2011. He was allowed to return to Dublin at the start of last year.

BOTTLE:

WHILE HOME, HE WAS IN A SOUTH CITY PUB ON JANUARY 7 FOLLOWING THE FUNERAL OF GANGLAND MURDER VICTIM CHRISTY WARREN WHEN HE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE 

THROWN A BOTTLE AT A CUSTOMER AND PUNCHED HIM.

He is also accused of attacking two women at the bar and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Although no complaint was made to gardai, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Gardai are expected to apply immediately for Thompson's extradition back to Dublin to face charges related to the row in the pub and also to the possession of a false Irish passport.

Thompson ruled half of the vicious Crumlin-Drimnagh fighting factions that have claimed 17 lives in Dublin since 2001.

Thompson is said to have married his partner Vicky Dempsey in recent months.

In January, he failed to attend the funeral of his uncle, who died in jail.

Drug dealer John Brannigan was found dead in his cell in Wheatfield Prison.

The 49-year-old, who was a chronic drug addict, had been serving an 11-year sentence for dealing. It is believed he suffered a heart attack.

Brannigan was the father of one of Thompson's closest friends, Liam Brannigan.
UPDATE ENDS:
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RELATED AUDIO & VIDEO

• Watch: Freddie Thompson arrested in the Netherlands

Mr Thompson, who is 32, is wanted by gardaí in connection with an assault in a pub in Dublin in January of last year.

The incident took place at a reception following the funeral of a gangland criminal.

Thompson was extradited to Spain two-and-a-half years ago after the Spanish authorities named him in the High Court as a member of an international organisation based on the Costa Del Sol, which has members in a number of countries, including Spain, the UK and Ireland.

Mr Thompson had been living in Spain, but travelled regularly to Ireland.

Dublin: Device Explodes In Bomber's Face As Gang Wars Hot Up

A bomber who injured himself after his device went off too soon may have forgotten about the clocks changing for Daylight Saving, according to reports.
Police in Dublin are said to be waiting to interview a man who was admitted to hospital with injuries to his face and upper body following the explosion in Long Lane on 30 March.
The suspect was seen fleeing the area with "blood dripping down his face" after the explosive device planted under a Volvo SUV went off too early.

Police were appealing for the taxi driver who drove the injured man to Mater Hospital to come forward. No one else was hurt in the explosion.
It has been suggested that the suspect accidently injured himself in the explosion because he forgot to set his watch forward on the morning of the attack.
A senior source told the Mirror: "This certainly was a high-grade explosive used in this bomb. It wasn't garbage stuff.
"It would appear the bomber got his timings wrong.
"It could be a case where he didn't put his watch forward on Sunday [at 1am] and the timer went off too soon.
"However, it is more likely he didn't realise just how powerful the explosives would be.
"If anyone had been in the car or walking near it at the time then they would have been killed."
Gardai were doubtful that the bomber had terrrorist connections and said instead the incident was likely to involve criminal gangs.
The owner of the SUV, a local business owner, has declined comment when contacted by the media.
Supt Dave Taylor said the consequences of the explosion could have been "very, very serious".
"It was a very extensive explosion and it was a very frightening experience for the people on Long Lane," he said.
"We are appealing for anyone who might have picked up a person in the New Street and Clanbrassil Street area shortly after 11pm who was quite obviously suffering

to come forward.
"It is quite obvious that the car was the object of this attack."