A depraved contract killer tortured and dismembered a teenage boy in a gangland execution, leaving a twisted message for the victim's family and friends in a case that horrified Ireland.
The Brutal Murder That Terrorised a Town
Keane Mulready-Woods, a teenager caught in a vicious drug feud in the Irish town of Drogheda, was lured to a house on 12 January 2020. There, he was subjected to torture and beheading by suspected serial killer Robbie Lawlor. This brutal murder marked a terrifying new low in the town's gang war, sending shockwaves through the community.
The horror unfolded further when the teenager's limbs were discovered thrown from a car in a sports bag onto a footpath in Moatview. Days later, his head, hands and feet were found in a burnt-out car in Dublin, confirming the most gruesome details of the crime.
The Motive Behind the Madness
Investigators believe the motive stemmed from a humiliating incident weeks earlier. In December 2019, Lawlor had walked free from court after being cleared of attempting to murder his ex-girlfriend's new partner's mother. Weeks later, he was assaulted outside a gym by a man connected to one of his alleged murder victims.
The assailant recorded the incident, punching Lawlor in the face while shouting "that's only the start". Lawlor's gym bag was stolen, and his enemies later posted photos of themselves wearing his flip-flops. It is believed Keane was present that day, and an enraged Lawlor sought violent revenge for the public humiliation.
After Keane's death, horrifying images of severed limbs appeared on social media. One chilling caption read: "Won't be robbing a man's flip-flops again." Lawlor also reportedly believed Keane was involved in the murder of his brother-in-law, Richie Carberry, who was killed at his house in November 2019.
Violent Aftermath and Killer's Demise
Keane's killing sparked a series of revenge attacks. Robbie Lawlor, the 36-year-old contract killer with hundreds of criminal convictions and links to multiple high-profile murders, was himself gunned down just months later. On 4 April 2020, he was shot in the head at close range in the front garden of a house in Ardoyne, north Belfast, in broad daylight.
Police believe he was either set up by rivals or killed by a drug dealer seeking to protect himself. Following his death, reporters revealed that the notorious hitman frequently dressed as a woman to evade police, wandering around north Dublin in a dress, makeup, and jewellery. A police source noted they used to call him "Roberta" as a joke, though Lawlor, who had no sense of humour, never saw the funny side.
At the time of his death, Keane was on licence after being convicted of intimidating a local mother over drug debts racked up by her child. Mourners later gathered at the Holy Family Church in Ballsgrove to pay tribute. Father Phil Gaffney told the congregation: "There has to be great anger and even sadness, great fear and pain perhaps, at the thought that we live in a society where certain people took upon themselves to 'play God' with regard to the life of Keane Mulready Woods."
