This convicted armed robber today reveals he has given up a life of crime - and replaced it with one of rhymes.
Ian Maloney says he has reformed his life and is writing books of poetry to raise money for cash-strapped charities – instead of offending.
“My kids made me change my ways,” Ian Maloney told the Irish Mirror in an exclusive interview. “I want to turn my profile from infamous to famous. I know it won't happen overnight, but I believe everyone in life deserves a second chance.”
READ MORE: Families welcome 'important day' as fresh Stardust fire inquest set to begin
Mr Maloney, who was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' because of his violent behaviour, admits he has around 100 convictions – but now wants to put that life behind him.
Mr Maloney, 35, was once jailed for his role in the armed robbery of some €1.2m from a Dublin jewellers but has now turned his hand to poetry in a bid to reboot his life.
The Dubliner has penned a book of poems called Wrong Doings – the proceeds from which are going to the Children's Health Ireland hospital in his native Crumlin, south Dublin.
He says the poems see him facing up to his life of crime, including the 2008 heist of Paul Sheeran Jewellers in Dundrum Town Centre.
Maloney and an accomplice entered the shop dressed as builders, ordered staff and customers against a wall at gunpoint and filled a bin bag full of watches and jewellery before escaping.
A court heard the shop found it difficult to continue trading after the loss and closed soon afterwards. Mr Maloney was jailed for 12 years for that heist.
Mr Maloney also says the poems deal with his kids as well as the loss of a cellmate in prison eight years ago.
“They’re mostly about my kids, the €1.2m robbery, people with mental health, autism and finding my friend passed in the cell,” Mr Maloney said.
That's a reference to him discovering killer Eugene Cullen, 32, unresponsive in the cell they shared in the Midlands Prison in Co Laois in September 2015.
Mr Maloney and staff tried to save him but he died in the cell from a suspected drugs overdose.
Cullen, who was also from Crumlin, was serving life for the murder of Shay O’Byrne (27) at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on March 13, 2009.
That murder was part of the notorious Crumlin cocaine feud – and was ordered by Kinahan gang boss Freddie Thompson, who is himself locked up for a gun killing.
Mr Maloney was well known to gardai in his native Crumlin in south Dublin and was heavily involved in gangland crime – but now he says that is behind him.
He was also at the centre of a dangerous feud with another criminal in Crumlin in early 2022 that saw several houses being attacked - but he now says he has moved away from crime.
He told us: “I understand you will have to write about my past, but that's my past - I look at myself as an ex criminal.
“I would like your papers to look at me like that as well. I am a changed man. I want to give back for my wrongs in life and try change people from making the same mistakes as I did.”
Mr Maloney added he turned to crime after the tragic death of a teenager with whom he was close back in 2003 - when he was aged just 16.
He said: “Before then I had no previous convictions. I worked, I had a lot going for me in sports. I took a wrong turn in life, which is understandable.
“I was no angel, I was bold but just an angry kid who was confused and angry. I probably should of gone to counselling but I refused it.:
And he admitted: “I did do a lot of crimes. But I changed my life around the last year, for myself but most importantly for my kids.
“I just want to get rid of the name Mad Dog and be called Ian and live a quiet life,” Mr Maloney says he is writing five books of poems – the proceeds from the first of which will go to Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
Mirror reporter Mick O’Toole made a personal donation to Crumlin Children’s Hospital as part of this interview.
READ NEXT:
Crackdown on ‘fake Garda’ gang sees multiple arrests as warning issued about 15-county scam
Gardai launch investigation after body found in house in Kilkenny
Boy, 7, horrifically injured after being 'bitten on head by dog' in Co Down pet shop
Police probing theft of cash from pensioner celebrating cancer recovery seek man 'with Irish accent'
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
