Vinny was the secret boyfriend of Brendan Brady, an affair which took place during Brendan's marriage to Eileen Brady. Vinny tried to kiss a friend of Brendan's, Danny Houston. Danny was embarrassed and angered, so he spiked Vinny's drink. An oblivious Vinny drove home and was involved in a fatal car accident. Danny later told Brendan this in December 2010, shortly before Brendan beat him to death.