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Bleak Alley
True crime within the dark heart of Irish gangs. Featuring original Irish folksongs written and performed by the author, Shane Dunphy.
He seems like a typical 16-year-old boy except that Mikey is walking the knife edge of crime. He’s tough and good with his fists, but when journalist Shane Dunphy is offered the chance to write his story, he discovers a lost, vulnerable child, in danger and desperate for help.
Shane descends into the perilous underworld of organised crime and discovers that the glamour of gangland life is riven with brutality and murder. Far from providing a means of survival for boys from broken families, the price they pay is often with their life.
With skill and empathy, and no little courage, Shane attempts to rescue Mikey from the clutches of warring gangland leaders and to restore the love and harmony of Mikey’s family which has been shattered by poverty and bad blood.
For fans of Peaky Blinders, Bleak Alley is the first in a series of true crime stories from the heart of Irish gangland life. The author provides extensive historical analysis of the rise of Irish street gangs and their outlaw Celtic culture, as well as original Irish folksongs.
Bleak Alley examines serious issues of social deprivation, state indifference and lawlessness with the pace and intrigue of a high-class thriller.
He seems like a typical 16-year-old boy except that Mikey is walking the knife edge of crime. He’s tough and good with his fists, but when journalist Shane Dunphy is offered the chance to write his story, he discovers a lost, vulnerable child, in danger and desperate for help.
Shane descends into the perilous underworld of organised crime and discovers that the glamour of gangland life is riven with brutality and murder. Far from providing a means of survival for boys from broken families, the price they pay is often with their life.
With skill and empathy, and no little courage, Shane attempts to rescue Mikey from the clutches of warring gangland leaders and to restore the love and harmony of Mikey’s family which has been shattered by poverty and bad blood.
For fans of Peaky Blinders, Bleak Alley is the first in a series of true crime stories from the heart of Irish gangland life. The author provides extensive historical analysis of the rise of Irish street gangs and their outlaw Celtic culture, as well as original Irish folksongs.
Bleak Alley examines serious issues of social deprivation, state indifference and lawlessness with the pace and intrigue of a high-class thriller.
Audiobook
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About the author
Shane Dunphy
16 books111 followersShane Dunphy is the million-selling author of non-fiction titles relating the years he spent as a child protection worker. He is an accomplished musician and has composed soundtracks for television and radio. Dunphy is an award-winning documentary maker and he writes regularly for Independent newspapers. He also writes a series of crime novels under the pseudonym S.A. Dunphy.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 19, 2020
Increased understanding for gangland Ireland
The author has compiled a perfect insight into gangland Ireland. By covering gangs all down through history we gain an understanding of how they came to be what they are today. The use of songs provided a heartfelt intermission for the listener to gather up the story and return to learn more. For me personally there was so much I knew, but in fragments and the author achieved the task of binding it all together for the listener and maintained my interest throughout. The kindness of the author is evident as the story unfolds we loose our judgement of the situation and the people caught in these gangs emerge for us. I wholeheartedly respect the author for being able to illustrate that not everyone who comes from violence or abuse goes on to be violent or an abuser. It carefully shows how broken homes can provide the perfect fodder to build up the allure and appeal a gang has to offer. You see that what makes sense in gangland doesn't translate to mainstream living. Equally what is acceptable and commonplace in the everyday amongst people whose closest brush with crime is points on their licence; amongst gangland Ireland it's intolerable and doesn't fit. "The weight of history between us." Isn't that what holds the volume between worlds, our limitations on how much we can understand another. In order to do so we must be willing to venture in. The author has given us a sharp and concise visitation into a world we're only spectator's in, but shows how with certain choices any of our lives could have paved this way. I like how the author remained true to his purpose, it is evident throughout how much he cared for Mikey and possibly seeing him as an example of save one, save some, save more, because every kid that is freed from gangland Ireland is an example of how a different life can be lived. Gangs find people and use their positives as a tool to manipulate and I think the Author found a way through the negatives.
The author has compiled a perfect insight into gangland Ireland. By covering gangs all down through history we gain an understanding of how they came to be what they are today. The use of songs provided a heartfelt intermission for the listener to gather up the story and return to learn more. For me personally there was so much I knew, but in fragments and the author achieved the task of binding it all together for the listener and maintained my interest throughout. The kindness of the author is evident as the story unfolds we loose our judgement of the situation and the people caught in these gangs emerge for us. I wholeheartedly respect the author for being able to illustrate that not everyone who comes from violence or abuse goes on to be violent or an abuser. It carefully shows how broken homes can provide the perfect fodder to build up the allure and appeal a gang has to offer. You see that what makes sense in gangland doesn't translate to mainstream living. Equally what is acceptable and commonplace in the everyday amongst people whose closest brush with crime is points on their licence; amongst gangland Ireland it's intolerable and doesn't fit. "The weight of history between us." Isn't that what holds the volume between worlds, our limitations on how much we can understand another. In order to do so we must be willing to venture in. The author has given us a sharp and concise visitation into a world we're only spectator's in, but shows how with certain choices any of our lives could have paved this way. I like how the author remained true to his purpose, it is evident throughout how much he cared for Mikey and possibly seeing him as an example of save one, save some, save more, because every kid that is freed from gangland Ireland is an example of how a different life can be lived. Gangs find people and use their positives as a tool to manipulate and I think the Author found a way through the negatives.
March 1, 2020
This audiobook, Bleak Alley is the true crime story of 16 year old Mikey, a young man from a troubled background. His mum is a schizophrenic and his alcoholic dad beats them both regularly. Mikey becomes caught up in a gang.
Shane, a journalist wants to write about Mikey and wants to try to help him realise that being in a gang, heading for a life of violence and crime isn’t his only option.
This is not a tale for the faint hearted, it’s a gritty look at the reality of gang culture, the violence and exploitation of young vulnerable men in this lawless part of Irish gangland society. Very well read by Shane Dunphy and along with the Irish folk songs make this an unforgettable listen.
Thank you to Ben at Midas PR for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Shane, a journalist wants to write about Mikey and wants to try to help him realise that being in a gang, heading for a life of violence and crime isn’t his only option.
This is not a tale for the faint hearted, it’s a gritty look at the reality of gang culture, the violence and exploitation of young vulnerable men in this lawless part of Irish gangland society. Very well read by Shane Dunphy and along with the Irish folk songs make this an unforgettable listen.
Thank you to Ben at Midas PR for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
February 22, 2020
Really enjoyed my time with this one and first by this author for me. I was interested to see how Shane helped Mikey. I would recommend
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews