The Viper as Debt Collecter

‘The Viper’ hired by Carlow firms to collect debts

NOTORIOUS criminal Martin ‘The Viper’ Foley has been hired as a debt collector by a number of Carlow businesses who have demanded that their customers pay up. Sources have told The Nationalist that Foley, one of the country’s best-known criminals, is now operating a debt collection service and that a number of Carlow businesses facing mounting bad debts have ruthlessly decided to avail of his service. As the economic downturn bites, Foley and his cohorts have been calling to a number of individuals demanding payment, often up-front, with Foley taking a percentage of all debts recovered.
In the vast majority of cases, people pay up immediately.

The company - Viper Recovery and Repossession Services Ltd - is registered with the Companies Office and is based at an address in Crumlin, Dublin, with Foley listed among the directors of the company.

“You wouldn’t turn him down if he came calling,” said one source, who added that Foley has proved very successful in collecting outstanding debts.

Within the criminal underworld, Foley has gained considerable notoriety and has escaped several attempts on his life.

In fact, 56-year-old Foley has been shot on five different occasions, including most recently on 25 January 2008, when he was shot a number of times outside the Carlisle health and fitness club in Kimmage, south Dublin.

A garda source confirmed to The Nationalist that they are aware Foley is operating a debt collection and recovery service in the Carlow area and has acted on behalf of businesses in this region.

Foley’s business is a legitimate one and, with many businesses now feeling the pinch, more unscrupulous business people are using intimidating methods to recover bad debts.