A KINAHAN killer is suspected of ordering the behind bars attack on fallen businessman Nathan McDonnell — for refusing to move his hidden drugs.
Shamed McDonnell, 44, was left with a broken jaw after being punched by drugged-up hitman Glen Thompson, 30, at Portlaoise Prison last Friday.
He is set to be sentenced today for his role in the importation of €32million worth of crystal meth.
Prison chiefs have launched a probe into the violent attack — with Thomas ‘Nicky’ McConnell suspected of being behind it.
Sources revealed that McConnell — serving life for the 2016 murder of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s nephew Gareth Hutch — has taken on a leading role in the A-block at the State’s maximum security prison as he vies for control.
One line of inquiry is that McDonnell, from Tralee, Co Kerry, refused to move drugs as he worked in the prison’s laundry.
And it led McConnell, 39, to seek revenge — with Thompson, 30, carrying out the order.
Following the attack, Thompson — serving a 12-and-a-half-year sentence for his role in a failed plot to kill The Monk’s brother Patsy in 2018 — has been on 23-hour lock-up.
A source told The Irish Sun: “Thomas McConnell is trying to be smart and play all sides as he looks to control the A-block. But he’s dangerous and is being looked at for ordering Thompson, another thug, to carry out the attack.
“McDonnell on the other hand is clearly someone who committed very serious crimes and is facing the consequences for it.
“But behind bars he has caused no trouble whatsoever.”
Battered McDonnell underwent surgery for his injury at Dublin’s St James’s Hospital this week.
PRISON PROTECTION
The former garden centre owner — who is now back behind bars — was under 24-hour protection by four prison guards and two armed gardai while at the hospital.
Thompson previously attacked fellow gun-for-hire Caolan Smyth in Castlerea Prison in 2022. The brute has long had a history of drug debt and addiction.
McDonnell is expected to be sentenced today for facilitating a crime gang to import Ireland’s biggest ever haul of crystal meth.
The drugs — linked to the global Sinaloa cartel — were stashed in a machine at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, in Tralee. which he used to run. Cops found the 564kg meth stash at the Port of Cork in February 2024, as it was due to be exported to Australia.
OPERATION PAYMENT
McDonnell — who was to get €150,000 for his role in the operation — had created a false invoice for the machine to be imported. It was also claimed he paid fees to have it released.
He has pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to his role.
McDonnell’s solicitor Padraig O’Connell last night told The Irish Sun that he fully expects today’s sentencing to go ahead.
But he doesn’t expect his client to be in attendance as he recovers from the prison beating.
Asked if he is satisfied with security in place for McDonnell since his return to Portlaoise, O’Connell added: “Well that’s why there is an investigation but I am dissatisfied that it happened in the first place.”
Mr O’Connell previously said the State “obviously let him down very badly”.
