Garda investigation into Irishman with alleged links to Holly Willoughby stalker

Gardai are investigating an Irishman for his alleged links to Holly Willoughby stalker Gavin Plumb, it has emerged.

The Mirror has confirmed Garda detectives visited the suspect’s house and seized his phone and laptop after they were tipped off by Interpol about his alleged contacts with weirdo Plumb.

Gardai were contacted after UK officers in the Essex investigation found messages between the Irishman and Plumb – who is now facing the possibility of a life sentence after he was convicted on Thursday of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Ms Willoughby last year.

Read more: Security guard sobs in court as he’s found guilty of plotting to rape and kill Holly Willoughby

Read more: Gardai anxious to locate young man missing from Galway believed to be in Dublin

Details of the messages between Plumb, 37, and the Irishman named in court as Marc were read during the Englishman’s trial at Chelmsford crown court in Essex in the last fortnight.

His trial heard that between December 2021 and June 2023 security guard Plumb exchanged hundreds of graphic sexual messages with Marc, which is not his real name.

In June 2022, Plumb shared an image of a dungeon-type room with Marc who replied: “Her screams could not be heard for miles.”

They also discussed the layout of Holly’s home, including the gates, absence of apparent CCTV and the alleyway at the side of the property.

In March 2023 Marc told Plumb in a WhatsApp voice note: “I’m gonna pull out of this thing.

“There’s something going on, I don’t know what it is but er… Look hopefully you and Holly, you’ll still get Holly you for you and your friend both of you guys get Holly.”

Gardai confirmed to The Mirror officers here were now carrying out an investigation.

A spokesman said: “An Garda Siochana has commenced a criminal investigation following information received from a UK Police Force through Interpol. As this is an ongoing investigation, An Garda Siochana is not confirming any further details.”

Sources, however, confirmed gardai visited the man’s home in the Leinster area as part of the probe and seized a phone and laptop connected to him in recent months. They said the probe was ongoing.

And a source close to the Irishman, who has previous convictions here for harassing a woman and for child porn charges, confirmed to us he had been in contact with Plumb – but said it was all just fantasy.

The source also claimed it was Marc who actually contacted Interpol about Plumb because he was so worried out his messages

They said: “Marc reported Gavin Plumb to Interpol. That’s how Gavin Plumb was caught.

“They took his laptop, they took his phone … About three months ago.

“He was online with your man Gavin Plumb. We know that. He told me he was.

“He lives in a bit of a fantasy land.

“Your man Plumb was bringing the fantasy into reality.” Following the guilty verdict, Willoughby said in a statement: “As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.

“I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.

“Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.

“I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time.”

She added: “Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.”

During the trial, the jury were told of Plumb’s two previous convictions for attempted kidnap in 2006 and another two offences of false imprisonment committed in 2008.

He said he had a “stewardess fantasy” at the time he tried to force two air hostesses to get off a train in the space of three days in August 2006.

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