Convicted killer Fat Freddie Thompson was brought from prison under armed escort to pay his respects to his beloved mother yesterday after her death last week, we can reveal.
The gangster was transported from Portlaoise Prison to the Massey Brothers' funeral home in The Coombe, Dublin 8 early on Friday morning.
Fat Freddie, 43, got to spend a short time with his mum Lisa before he was brought away and back down to the jail, with strict security measures in place at all times.
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We understand that Fat Freddie's application for temporary release was granted late on Thursday evening.
Lisa, aged in her early 70s, died peacefully at her home in Maryland, south inner city Dublin on Sunday and her funeral is taking place this coming Monday.
It is understood that she had suffered an illness for a long time before her passing.
Later on in the day yesterday, Fat Freddie's brother Richard and his aunt Sadie Byrne - whose son David was murdered at the Regency Hotel in 2016 - were spotted at the funeral home along with other relatives.
They stayed there for over 40 minutes before leaving.
One-time senior Kinahan cartel member Freddie is said to be "heartbroken" over his mother's death.
Sources have told the Irish Mirror that "he flipped" when he learned of her death, throwing a number of items around before prison staff eventually calmed him down.
A source said: "Freddie was given a short period of time to be with his mother.
"The strictest of security measures were in place.
"He hasn't been doing well since he heard of the news at all, but from his perspective, at least he got to see her because many people in prison don't get that opportunity."
Another source said Freddie and his mother were "pretty close", adding: "From the mother's point of view, her Frederick could do no wrong."
Lisa's sister Sadie's attendance at the funeral home yesterday was the first time she has been spotted since Gerry "The Monk" Hutch walked free from court on Monday, having been acquitted of her son's murder.
Freddie was close to her sons and his cousins, the now deceased David, and Liam Byrne, who resides in the UK.
Fat Freddie is currently serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of David "Daithi" Douglas.
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