26/04/2012

Limerick Crime Brothers Arrested In Bulgaria After Two Year Chase

A leading Limerick criminal and his brother have been arrested in Bulgaria in the culmination of a two-year chase across Europe.

Vincent and Jonathan Collopy, from St Mary's Park, Limerick, were arrested by police in Bulgaria at a resort complex on the Black Sea.

33-year-old Vincent Collopy had been on the run since 2010 after two of his brothers threatened to kill a former associate.

Yesterday evening, police in Bulgaria surrounded the brothers' hideout at Sunny Beach -- the biggest sea resort in the country where the pair were cornered and arrested.

Seven handguns, ammunition, a cache of drugs and an estimated €30,000 in cash was also recovered by police as part of the arrest operation.

The Irish Independent understands a European Arrest Warrant was issued for Vincent Collopy as part of a garda investigation and it is expected that he will be extradited back to Ireland.

Jonathan Collopy (25) could yet face charges in Bulgaria following yesterday's seizure.

(H)


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