Sounds like it could well be IRA (or dissident versions of it) and/or Irish Republican gangsters - I think @Uther was just jumping on board with his "LOL" after a couple of other posters posted something that would seemingly contradict that.
I'm still waiting for you to explain how the area he's from means it's definitely IRA related. As you claim.
Not that I think it matters. Europe is riddled with people smuggling and trafficking. All sorts involved in it.