Drogheda gang member drops new rap track from custody ahead of sentencing

Exclusive: Dean Thornton, who has been in custody for the past 12 months, features on the new rap ‘Losses and Wins’ released on Dearfxch TV on YouTube on New Year’s Day

A Drogheda gang member awaiting sentencing has launched a new rap track from behind bars, raising questions about when and where his part in the music video was recorded.

Dean Thornton, who has been in custody for the past 12 months, features on the new rap ‘Losses and Wins’ released on Dearfxch TV on YouTube on New Year’s Day. The track also includes vocals from another local artist known as ‘Jaffa.’

Thornton is due to be sentenced next month after admitting to facilitating the Drogheda-based Boylan Organised Crime Group headed by two brothers Keith and Josh Boylan.

The Boylan brothers, who are on the run in Dubai and Thailand, were named in court last year by a garda witness in a money laundering sentencing hearing.

Thornton, 27, of Moneymore, pleaded guilty last November to offences under Section 72 for enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation to commit serious crime, as well as handling criminal cash.

It is unclear whether Thornton recorded his vocals before he was remanded in custody last February, or if the track was recorded while he has been in prison.

Prison sources said that if material had been recorded behind bars, it is highly unlikely it would have been permitted to be sent outside the prison system.

Thornton does not appear in the accompanying music video, which was directed by Kobi Vision.

The four minute 20 seconds video opens with the words ‘Free Dean Thornton’ in large red lettering before beginning. During the video, Thornton is represented by a male wearing a tracksuit with his face covered.

In his verses, Thornton reflects on his life choices and brushes with crime, questioning whether he will “pay for his sins” while referencing growing up around drugs and money.

“Never count my losses, only count my wins. Will I end up in hell, will I pay for my sins. Tell me what you did when I grew up on the streets,” Thornton raps.

“Grew up around money, drugs, and glocks full of sweets. Never did I think I’d end up spitting on these beats, it brings out the best of me writing down these thoughts.”

He also laments that he has ‘done a lot of bad stuff’ and that he doesn’t have regrets.

“Done a lot of bad stuff, I don’t have regret, life gives you lessons, life gives you blessings, forgive me Father when I don’t do confessions. I say it how it is, don’t sugarcoat things.”

In a statement to this paper, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service said “The Irish Prison Service does not comment on individual prisoner cases.”

Thornton began releasing rap music in 2024 under the name Dean Thornton AMF, later changing his stage name to Dean Thornton RSK.

Several of his tracks were released on YouTube and social media platforms with professionally produced music videos.

Thornton was charged with organised crime offences shortly after the release of one of his earlier raps ‘Times are Changing.’

He was arrested and remanded in custody in February 2025 and has remained in prison since.

He is now awaiting sentence in relation to his role in facilitating the Boylan Organised Crime Group (BOCG), which has been involved in a long-running and violent feud in Drogheda.

The BOCG is at war with associates of paralysed mob boss Owen Maguire in a feud that has claimed four lives including that of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods, who was lured to his death, murdered by slain serial killer Robbie Lawlor and dismembered. His body parts were thrown around parts of Dublin.

An associate of Thornton’s, Paul Crosby, who is one of the main protagonists in the deadly feud, is currently serving a ten year sentence for luring 17-year-old Keane to the house in Rathmullen where Lawlor murdered and dismembered him.

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