

AT LARGE?Aussie mobster Robert Trimbole was on the run in Westport thirty years ago.

When an Aussie mobster was on the run in Westport





Edwin McGreal



An Australian mobster made headline news in The Mayo News 30 years ago last month.

One of the most-wanted men in the world, Robert (Bob) Trimbole, was in hiding in Westport under a false name.

Trimbole was wanted in Australia for murder, smuggling heroin and forgery. The murder charge was for the killing of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay.

The infamous mobster was a central character in a hugely popular TV series about gangland Australia. ‘Underbelly’, which has been shown all over the world, shows Trimbole leaving the country after changing his birth date on his boarding pass to avoid suspicion by customs.

He first came to Westport in March 1984, and made front-page news in The Mayo News on October 31 that year.

The story reported on extradition proceedings against Trimbole, who was operating under the name of Michael Pius Hanbury. News of his real identity ‘shocked his acquaintances’ in Westport, The Mayo News reported.

Trimbole’s time in Westport was covered in great detail. He arrived there in March of 1984 with a woman who he said was his wife, Annie, and two other adults.

They stayed in The Ryan Hotel, now Westport Woods Hotel, for a few days, and he meet with building contractor Padraic Conlon. He also spoke to a local householder about renting a four-bedroom bungalow near Clogher, outside Westport.

Holiday home

Trimbole returned to Westport in early June, staying this time in Hotel Westport. He again met with Padraic Conlon: ‘He also spoke about acquiring a site where he could build a holiday home’, The Mayo News reported.

“A number of sites were looked at, including one adjacent to where Mr Conlon is building his own home at Belclare, on the main Louisburgh/Westport road, on the shores of Clew Bay.

“By this time ‘Michael Hanbury’ had become very friendly with the Conlon family, and Mr Conlon gave ‘Hanbury’ permission to use his address – 23 King’s Hill, Westport – and his telephone number, should anyone wish to discuss a building site. ‘Hanbury’, in return, left a Zurich address and ’phone number with Mr Conlon, should he wish to contact him,” the report stated.

The ‘Hanburys’ left Westport and returned again on October 7. They stayed in Hotel Westport once more. Staff recalled being told by ‘Mr Hanbury’s wife’ that he was not feeling well and was going to hospital for tests.

Clogher visit

On October 7, Trimbole and his party, together with the Conlons, went to Drumminawoonagh, near Clogher, to view the four-bedroomed bungalow that he arranged to rent for £80 per week. The property belonged to Gerard and Ena Scahill and was already on the market, but the Scahills agreed to rent it to ‘Hanbury’ until his holiday home was built.

“After viewing the modern bungalow all the party but ‘Hanbury’ had tea in the house. He also refused an alcoholic drink, saying he would be having dinner later with which he had hoped to have a Guinness and to which he was looking forward.

“During the thirty-minutes visit at the Scahill home ‘Michael Hanbury’ remained standing. He indicated that he had a condition which was aggravated by sitting down. He also chatted and played with Mr and Mrs Scahill’s two young children, Olivia and Gerard Jnr,” the paper reported.

‘Hanbury’ informed the Scahills that he was going for some tests and that he would take possession of the house upon his return. He was also ‘anxious’ that a telephone be installed.

Trimbole was diagnosed with cancer while in Ireland but was successful in avoiding extradition, aided by the work of his barrister Patrick McEntee.

He escaped to Spain, where he died from cancer in 1987. His body was returned to Australia and his funeral was held in Sydney. Mourners and reporters ended up in a brawl at the funeral.