Nathan Kinsella Threatened to “Fold” Ex-Socialite Marcus Sweeney After CAB Raids on Luxury Cars Linked to Money Laundering

The Dramatic Confrontation at Kinsella’s Blackrock Home

When Criminal Assets Bureau officers arrived at Kinsella’s plush residence in Blackrock with a search warrant, the atmosphere quickly turned hostile. According to a CAB detective’s affidavit, Kinsella immediately pointed the finger at Marcus Sweeney, claiming he had been tipped off about the impending raid.

“Mr Kinsella further stated that the Bureau were there because of Mr Sweeney and that he would ‘fold him’,” the officer recorded. Gardaí warned Kinsella against any such action and reminded him not to assume anything about the investigation.

Kinsella’s mobile phone was seized during the operation. Among the contacts, Sweeney’s number was saved under a highly derogatory label: “Gavin Curran Damien O’Farrell Rat Informant Set Up Merchant.”

Hostile Messages and Evidence of a Falling Out

Weeks after the vehicles were seized in February 2025, Kinsella sent Sweeney a strongly worded message demanding repayment of borrowed money: “And get my money u borrowed from me I mean it u scumbag c**t.” Sweeney did not reply, and no further messages were exchanged.

Additional evidence extracted from the phone of Kinsella’s partner, Jennifer Dunne, included CCTV screenshots from their Blackrock home showing Marcus Sweeney placing an item behind the bins in June 2023.

Text messages between Kinsella and company director Richard Buruiana revealed growing frustration with Sweeney. Kinsella appeared to direct activities and questioned whether to continue providing money to him, describing the situation as unproductive.

The Luxury Cars at the Centre of the CAB Investigation

The three high-end vehicles — BMW M3, BMW M2, and Audi Q7 — were seized from a private underground car park in Cherrywood, Dublin 18, following confidential intelligence received by the CAB. Although registered to another individual, the cars were found to be under Kinsella’s control.

The Bureau alleged that Kinsella and Sweeney had been associating in 2023, with phone records and messages showing Kinsella providing direction regarding business activities involving Sweeney and Buruiana.

Kinsella claimed the vehicles were held on a “sale or return” basis, but the Chief Bureau Officer described this explanation as lacking credibility, noting that Kinsella had “no ostensible background or record in the motor trade.”

Nathan Kinsella’s Criminal Background and Real IRA Links

Nathan Kinsella has a significant criminal history. He was previously convicted of IRA membership in 2014 after a paramilitary colour party fired shots at the funeral of murdered Real IRA boss Alan Ryan. He received a two-year sentence.

In June 2024, Kinsella was sentenced to one year in prison for three revenue offences. He was released in January 2025 and was later spotted at his partner’s dog grooming business in Clondalkin.

The Chief Bureau Officer, Michael Gubbins, described Kinsella as the focus of multiple garda investigations and “significantly involved in subversive activities and organised crime.” Kinsella is also suspected of involvement in extortion rackets and was once hired as protection for a well-known hotelier.

Marcus Sweeney’s Previous Involvement in CAB Cases

This is not the first time Marcus Sweeney has appeared in connection with CAB investigations. His firm, Evergreen Wealth Management (EMW), was previously targeted for allegedly laundering gangland cash through property deals, including land in Waynestown, Co Meath.

In that case, a judge remarked that Sweeney was “up to his oxters” in criminality. Sweeney had also been arrested (and later released without charge) in connection with two Turkish men found with seven kilos of heroin worth nearly €1 million. He was officially warned by gardaí after his life was threatened.

Jennifer Dunne’s Alleged Role and Broader Implications

Kinsella’s partner, Jennifer Dunne, was described in CAB evidence as providing “logistical and material support” to Kinsella’s criminal activities, from which she also benefited financially. She had previously faced money-laundering charges before the Special Criminal Court, which were later withdrawn.

The case highlights the growing trend of using high-value cars moved between the UK and Ireland to disguise the origins of criminal proceeds.

Why This Case Matters for Organised Crime in Ireland

The dramatic falling out between Nathan Kinsella and Marcus Sweeney sheds light on the complex relationships within Ireland’s criminal underworld, where former socialites, convicted terrorists, and money laundering schemes intersect. The successful CAB action demonstrates the Bureau’s continued efforts to target the proceeds of crime, including luxury vehicles used to conceal illicit funds.

As investigations continue, the case raises important questions about asset recovery, the movement of high-value goods across borders, and the ongoing threat posed by individuals with links to paramilitary and organised crime groups.