Cornelius Price: Notorious Mobster and His Grave in Rochdale

Explore the life and legacy of Cornelius Price, a mobster linked to multiple murders, and his elaborate grave in Rochdale Cemetery.
Posted on Feb 16, 2025
Rochdale
Cornelius Price: Notorious Mobster and His Grave in Rochdale

Mobster Cornelius Price, a key figure in organised crime suspected of multiple murders, is remembered at his elaborate grave in Rochdale. Price, who died on February 19, 2023, due to a brain disease, was buried in Rochdale Cemetery two years prior in a secret ceremony.

He was engaged in a violent gang feud in Drogheda, County Louth, before fleeing to the UK in 2020, with family connections in Rochdale and Manchester. His grave, once unmarked, is now adorned with a lavish headstone, floral tributes, and ornaments depicting boxing gloves and vehicles, celebrating his life.

The lavish headstone on Cornelius Price's grave adorned with tributes
The headstone on Nailyboy's grave

Price's grave features a heart-shaped stone with his face engraved in it, and the words 'Our warrior, Simply the Best' inscribed in gold. Additional stones depict him flexing his muscles, all surrounded by flowers.

The 41-year-old Price is linked to the disappearances of Willie Maughan and his pregnant partner Ana Varslavane, last seen on April 14, 2015, at Price's compound in Gormanston, County Meath. They were planning to return to Tallaght the day they went missing. It is suspected they had vital information about Price's criminal operations, including the murder of Benny Whitehouse.

Cornelius Price alongside Willie Maughan, highlighting his criminal connections
Cornelius Price and Willie Maughan

Last November, authorities conducted a four-day search on bogland in north County Dublin with hopes of finding the couple's remains, believed to be in an unmarked grave. However, the search yielded no evidence.

Cornelius Price's grave in Rochdale cemetery, two years post his death
Cornelius Price's grave in Rochdale cemetery two years after his death (Image: Andy Stenning)

Joe Maughan, Willie's father, expressed hope for new information on the couple's whereabouts: "I feel 100 percent confident that someone might give us the information where they are and clear their conscience. We can finally give Willie and Anna a proper burial."

Price's violent legacy continued as he fled to the UK after the murder of Drogheda teen Keane Mulready-Woods, triggering a gang war with the mob seeking revenge, particularly against Robbie Lawlor.