GANGLAND thug Jason ‘Pigeon’ O’Connor is under investigation by prison chiefs over a posting on social media from behind bars.

A number of images were uploaded on the hot-headed thug’s story on his Facebook page on Wednesday, leading to suspicion that he may have access to a smartphone.

He updated his profile pic and replied to well-wishers saying: “All good thanks lads.”

In another, he told one pal: “All ok mate be in touch soon.”

The snaps posted were from before his return to jail.

O’Connor is caged in Mountjoy prison serving an 11-year sentence for attempted murder and working for the Kinahan cartel in five separate “operations.”

Although he has been staying out of trouble there, he will now be subject to searches after the emergence of the social media posts.

But sources say that it comes as a surprise given his good behaviour after being locked up again.

One said: “Prison authorities were made aware of the social media posts and are examining them.

“There is a huge problem with contraband at the moment not only in Mountjoy but around the whole prison system.

“But it is out of step with the way O’Connor has been behaving since he’s returned back to Mountjoy.”

O’Connor is housed on C3 and does not mix or get involved with any of his rivals.

Another source explained: “He stays out of trouble and doesn’t want to be mixed up in anything.”

Notorious criminal O’Connor – who has over 70 previous convictions, including for the possession of a phone in jail – has been back in Mountjoy since August 2023.

Earlier this year, he admitted to conspiring to kill Charlie Cooper on December 5, 2016 and facilitating a criminal organisation – named in court as the Kinahan Organised Crime Group – to murder.

Investigator’s nailed O’Connor for his crimes after an encrypted Blackberry phone seized eight years ago was cracked following new technology developments which revealed his interactions with associates.

In one of the Kinahan operations, his texts revealed communication with a man named only as ‘Associate A’.

‘HE’S GOING DOWN’

O’Connor and this associate discussed shooting a person at an unnamed location.

O’Connor said there was “nowhere to park or watch” while ‘Associate A’ text back saying it was a “suicide mission down there” and the only way was do it it at “the gaff”.

In another exchange, ‘Associate A’ wrote how a tracker was put on the wrong motor.

Ruthless O’Connor said: “I won’t get it wrong, clean head shot, no mistakes, he’s going down.”

Yesterday, the Irish Prison Service said it does not comment on individual prisoners or specific operational or security matters.

But a spokesman explained that it is working with the Gardai as part of ‘Operation Throwover’, which targets contraband being lobbed into prisons.

He added: “Prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence led cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons.”

HOW many of us have been at a Christmas party and wished we had a hotel nearby to carry on the craic?

With the festive season coming into view, it’s a wee treat to consider the options available if you want to avoid the hassle of leaving the fun early.

PR Handout

PR Handout

While the Irish Sun offices are based in Dublin, many of our staff live across the country, so when we had a recent party, two colleagues made their way from Belfast and Wicklow to celebrate.

Instead of spending the night worrying about making the train home, CHRIS CAIRNS and AISLING KAVANAGH decided to check out some of the city centre hotels.

Here’s how they got on . . . 

AISLING’S STAY IN THE CROKE PARK HOTEL

I live in Wicklow, so travelling to Dublin is easy enough, but when a party is on with my new work colleagues, I want to be able to enjoy it fully.

So I stayed at the Croke Park Hotel, which is part of the luxurious Doyle Collection.

This includes the likes of London’s Marylebone and Bloomsbury hotels, and I was not disappointed.

Any GAA fan will know exactly where it is, across from the stadium itself, an ideal location if your county manages to make it to play there.

I was heading to a party in Dublin city centre that evening, so this hotel’s location was ideal for a night out.

It’s not too far from Dublin’s centre yet just far enough for a peaceful night’s rest after the event without the noise of city.

Our stay included a suite on the fourth floor, which granted us access to the executive lounge.

This private lounge was located just down the hall, and we could pop in at any time to enjoy tea, coffee and other refreshments.

In the morning they serve fresh juices, or a selection of pastries and fruit. I reckon it would be ideal for escaping the mayhem that must take over on game days.

One of the highlights of the stay was dining at the restaurant in the hotel, The Hawthorn.

And our waiter, Alex, offered superb service throughout the meal.

For starters, I opted for the scallops, which, though small, were packed with flavour.

My partner chose a more adventurous dish – compressed watermelon with avocado purée, radish, and feta cheese.

For our mains, we both went with steak. My 8oz striploin arrived perfectly medium rare, accompanied by pepper sauce and chunky chips.

By the time dessert rolled around, we were nearly too full, but couldn’t resist.

I went for the lemon posset, a balanced and refreshing finale to the meal, while my partner opted for the indulgent Croke Park Sundae, complete with peanut butter and vanilla gelato, brownie pieces, and a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce.

After a night out on the town, it was lovely to have a huge breakfast buffet with just about every breakfast you can think of.

There was nothing better than some delicious poached eggs, followed by fluffy pancakes to start the day on the right note.

A great stay for GAA fans or those who just want a good night in the city.

The Croke Park Hotel, in Dublin 3, has rooms starting at €119 per night for two people sharing when you book direct.

CHRIS’ STAY AT THE TRAVELODGE PLUS HOTEL

As Kirstie and Phil have been reminding us now for 24 years, it’s all about Location, Location, Location.

It’s what sprung to mind when I recently stayed at the new Travelodge Plus hotel in Dublin 2 for an overnight stay.

After arriving on the Dublin Express from Belfast, I was dropped off at Custom House Quay and only had a three-minute walk across the river to the 393-bedroom hotel.

It is on Townsend Street, which means the Bord Gáis Theatre, Trinity College and Grafton Street are just a stroll away.

If you are staying over for Christmas shopping, you could get it all done locally and then head to some of the nearby bars, with O’Neill’s and Moss Lane just around the corner.

There’s plenty of friendly staff working to make sure you get checked in quickly and efficiently.

I stayed on the top floor in one of the 150 SuperRooms. All mod cons are provided – from the in-room Lazazza coffee machine and blackout curtains to a 32in Freeview TV and choice of pillows.

With a little time on my hands, I enjoyed a coffee on the outdoor terrace, which is covered and heated, before making my way inside to the modern and chic Mossco Restaurant.

Even though it was only 12.30pm, the restaurant was busy with several tourists and business people enjoying lunch.

There’s everything on the menu from fish, burgers and pizzas to salads and steaks.

I chose the chicken and chorizo tagliatelle and was not disappointed – the food is of a really high standard.

Unfortunately I had to go to work then, otherwise I could have enjoyed a drink in the Mossco Bar.

The hotel’s bar is also working exclusively with Hope Beer – brewed and kegged at Howth Junction on Dublin’s Northside – to provide award-winning craft beers to residents and customers.

The gorgeous artwork and the slick look of the bar made me really want to have more time to stay and try it all out, maybe for the next night out.

‘I’D HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHECKING IT OUT’

The Travelodge Plus Hotel is perfect for business or pleasure.

Key locations such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, 3Arena and Grafton Street are all within walking distance.

It’s in a perfect location without the sky-high prices.

Next time you’re stopping by in Dublin, I’d highly recommend checking it out.

Prices start from €129 Bed & Breakfast per room per night based on two people sharing in November and December.

I’ll be back for the next party I need to attend in Dublin.

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DAVE McSavage reckons Gerry Hutch will win a Dail seat as voters give a “f*** you” to the politicians.

Ex-Fine Gael minister turned podcaster Ivan Yates has complained about the “media fascination” with The Monk and dismissed his chances of winning.

Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin

Brian Lawless/PA Wire

But comedian McSavage told us: “I think Hutch will get elected.

“People are bored with the same candidates saying the same things.

“They’re frustrated and then someone like Gerry Hutch comes along.

“I think there will be a number of people who will vote for him as a protest – as a f*** you to politicians.

“I don’t look to politicians for any moral guidance and I don’t think anyone should.

“I don’t know Gerry Hutch. Maybe he has come out the other end of his life and reformed. He now wants to be a better version of himself.”

Dave, 58, comes from a political dynasty. His father, David Andrews, was a Fianna Fail heavyweight who served as Foreign Affairs Minister.

His brother Barry Andrews is an MEP and cousin, Chris Andrews, is a Sinn Fein TD.

The former Savage Eye comic has lampooned The Monk on his Instagram show in a ‘Make Ireland Deadly Again’ sketch.

And he doesn’t think it will be a problem if Hutch gets elected in Dublin Central and turns up to take his seat in the Dail.

McSavage said: “Maybe for the first day or two — then it will all settle down to business as usual. He probably will make Ireland deadly again.”

McSavage revealed how The Monk rated his mickey-taking promo as really supporting his bid for the Dail.

The spoof features Hutch making promises on the election trail saying: “I won’t be taking bulls**t, it won’t be taking nods and winks, they’ve been in for years and they haven’t done their jobs.”

This contrasted with soundbites from Taoiseach Simon Harris, Fianna Fail’s Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and ended with the message ‘Make Ireland Deadly Again’ with a picture of Hutch.

Just hours after posting, Dave was shocked when Hutch’s official Insta account answered with: “Brilliant. Thanks for the support. Let’s Rock The House.”

A shocked Dave replied: “Thank God, you have a sense of humour.”

Dave told The Irish Sun: “The Monk reckons I am voting for him when I probably won’t vote for anyone.

“But I’m not scared, because he does seem to have a sense of humour.

“But can you imagine The Monk coming to your door asking for your vote? You’d see it’s The Monk and go ‘Oh Absolutely! Of course you can have my vote.’

Gannon: I'm nun the wiser

By BARRY MORAN

ELECTION candidate Gary Gannon has revealed his mum used to threaten that the nuns would get him if he misbehaved.

Social Democrats hopeful in Dublin Central Gannon said: “I was raised right here on the top floor of a flat complex that no longer exists – 57 Mountainview Court.

“To look over our balcony was to look upon Ireland’s last remaining Magdalene Laundry.

“I remember my ma telling us that if we didn’t behave, the nuns were going to come get us – because that’s the consequence she grew up with.”

Gary added: “In the decades since, I’ve watched people of courage fight to unclench us from that grip of intolerance. We must continue the fight.”

“And if The Monk asked, ‘Do
you have any problems in the neighbourhood?’ You could say, ‘Yes. I don’t like my neighbour two doors down.’

“And The Monk would say ‘Do you want me to have a word with them?’ He’d sort it out.”

Despite the cordial exchange between the two men, the stand-up has no plans to put The Monk on the guest list when Dave plays Dublin’s Olympia next January 24.

DAIL RULES

However, Hutch is in danger of having to give up his Dail seat if he is elected.

Under the rules of the Oireachtas and the constitution, no member can sit in the Dail if they are serving a current jail sentence of six months or more.

The head of the Hutch Organised Crime Group is currently out on bail and facing serious money laundering accusations in Spain.

If he is charged and convicted by the authorities in Lanzarote, he will be facing a jail sentence of six months to six years plus a fine three times the value of the assets he was laundering.

Hutch was given bail of over €100,000 so he could return home to stand in the General Election.

ACQUITTAL

He had been mostly living in Lanzarote since he was released from jail over 18 months ago after his acquittal at the Special ­Criminal Court for the 2016 Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne. He had pleaded not guilty.

It could take prosecutors on the Canary Islands at least a year before deciding if The Monk has a case to answer.

They are investigating where he got the cash to pay for a number of rental holiday homes and apartments that he owns in Lanzarote.

Hutch denies any wrongdoing and claims it is all paid for by legitimate income.

There is no love lost between Hutch and the Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou, a rival in the Dublin constituency.

A Sinn Fein source said: “We definitely have not carried out any private polling but we do not believe Gerry Hutch is a danger to Mary Lou McDonald’s seat.

“The ironic thing is if he is charged and then convicted in Spain and the sentence is more than six months, he will have to resign his Dail seat if he is elected under the Constitution and then be sent to Spain to go to jail. There will be some fun and games then.

“But the voters should know what the rule is before they elect him.”

There is no issue with people with previous criminal convictions serving in the Dail.

Instagram

Instagram

THIS is the moment disgraced solicitor Cahir O’Higgins reported to prison after being handed 16 months for harassment and assault.

Our exclusive images show the lawyer arriving at Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison to begin his jail sentence for assaulting former colleague Stephen O’Mahony.

Garrett White

IrishPhotoDesk.ie Patrick Cummins

Garrett White

Before assaulting his victim, O’Higgins sent him a video and said: “I will f***ing get you.”

In our first snap, the 50-year-old legal eagle is seen arriving at the Dublin prison in a taxi.

We then show O’Higgins collecting his suitcase and backpack from the vehicle before making his way into the high-security prison to start his ­sentence.

O’Higgins arrived at the jail on September 30.

He received the sentence on July 22 after pleading guilty to one count of assaulting Mr O’Mahony and one count of harassing him between June 25, 2020 and ­February 11, 2021.

But O’Higgins was given time to shut down his law firm and settle his affairs before his jail time started.

He was also allowed to fly to Spain for a week in July and also to cycle at the Gran Fondo World Championships in Denmark in September.

One source said: “He would have been used to visiting ­prisons to meet his clients but this time it’s going to be his home for a good while.

“He may have thought he was the big man when he was in court but it’s a different story in prison.

“It’s hard to believe that someone who had such a big legal firm is now behind bars.”

‘SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE’

Shortly before his sentence, O’Higgins posted on social media that he was closing his firm — described in court as the “most successful practice in the country” — due to a “variety of circumstances”.

He said he intended to “retire by 50 and I’m glad one way or another that gift and opportunity has been given to me”.

And he said criminal law “should be about kindness and getting people a second chance”.

‘PEACE AND QUIET’

O’Higgins also said he was “looking forward to peace and quiet” before saying: “I’m off to learn a few lessons.”

But there was no mention of his conviction for breaking his former colleague’s nose or subjecting his victim to a prolonged campaign of harassment.

The only reference to his sentence came from another social media user who said: “All the best, enjoy your time in prison.”

During sentencing, Judge Kenneth ­Connolly described his actions as “deranged”, “thuggish” and “despicable”.

‘IRRATIONAL OBSESSION’

The senior judge said: “The harassment arose from an irrational obsession deriving from the fact the two parties were in competition for the same work.”

O’Higgins initially received a 32-month sentence but the last 16 months were suspended on a number of conditions, including that he has no contact with his victim, his wife or his family.

The court also heard how he had been convicted of a public order offence when he abused two plain clothes gardai while he was out cycling.

Garrett White

LYRA is tipped to finally sing for Ireland at next year’s Eurovision after she was fast-tracked to a final shortlist, we can reveal.

Insiders say the Cork star is on the ticket and is guaranteed a slot in the Late Late Eurosong final in early 2025.

Michael Schofield - The Sun Glasgow

Getty Images - Getty

AP:Associated Press

Entries for RTE’s Eurosong competition have closed but the source told The Irish Sun: “RTE needs a big name and Lyra is the dream act they want to send to Eurovision.

“She’s personable and would be great connecting with delegations and giving sound bites to media.

“Her on-stage performances and outfits scream Eurovision. Being so theatrical, she could project to millions. Being used to playing summer festivals, a big stage won’t faze her.”

Lyra, 31, who is dubbed the “Bandon Beyonce”, has previously told how RTE repeatedly asked her to fly the flag for Ireland but she had to turn them down as she was busy with her debut album.

Ruling herself out last year, she said she had no time to commit to this year’s event.

Lyra said: “For me, right now, I have waited three years for my album to come out and I don’t want to get distracted. I feel like I need to give this 110 percent because I have worked so hard.”

Having got her self-titled album to No.1 in the Irish charts, however, she is now able to get behind a massive campaign to return Ireland to Eurovision glory.

According to Lyra’s website, while 2024 was choc-a-bloc with gigs, she has just one concert booked for 2025 on March 28 in Chelmsford.

A source said: “Lyra seems to be clearing the decks for something”.

Speaking previously about the groundswell of people supporting her Eurovision, Lyra said: “It’s pretty cool that people want me to represent Ireland. I am Irish through and through so for fans to ask me to represent Ireland is a real honour.”

RTE Eurovision chiefs believe the singer’s warm personality and likeability will work not just out in Eurovision but back home too.

The source added: “RTE knows Lyra has already had a No.1 record in Ireland so they know the whole of Ireland would get behind Lyra as this country’s Eurovision entry.”

Rival singers and songwriters in the RTE’s Eurosong competition have told The Irish Sun Lyra is the artist to beat if they want to make the Eurovision Song Contest final in Basel, Switzerland, next May.

PANEL DECISION

RTE say all entries will be considered by a panel of music and entertainment industry professionals and/or Eurovision fans selected by RTE.

Lyra, real name Laura McNamara, self-released her debut EP W.I.L.D in 2016.

It was produced by Kate Bush and Coldplay producer Rupert Christie. It garnered such favourable attention that in 2017 she signed with Universal, who released her chart single Falling.

She has spoken about releasing a second album next year but will have plenty of time after Eurovision.

POTENTIAL CAREER BOOST

The insider said: “If Lyra won Eurovision for Ireland it could boost her career right now and turn her into worldwide superstar. We really would have another Beyonce.

While last year several acts called for a Eurovision boycott because Israel was competing, and sniped at Irish entry Bambie Thug, Lyra praised them.

She said at the time: “It was very interesting. It is so ‘out of the box’ for Ireland in the Eurovision. I think it could be the song and I think people will gravitate towards it because it stands out.

“Fair play to Bambie Thug. They are really testing the boundaries. We know Eurovision fans want something to entertain them, grab them and shock them.”

Michael Schofield - The Sun Glasgow

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