Garda fears that firebomb attacks could ignite Flashy gang war

Gardai fear gangster Mr Flashy is set for war with his enemies — after two arson attacks in less than 24 hours almost left the mother of a feud victim dead.

The home of a key associate of the Dublin crime boss was targeted in an arson attack late on Saturday night – just hours after the mother of murdered James Whelan survived her own house being petrol-bombed.

It’s understood allies of Flashy mob victim Whelan were so enraged by the attack on his mother Sonya’s home in Finglas early on Saturday they launched a revenge hours later.

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Sources say they threw a petrol bomb at the home of a woman who is closely connected to Flashy late on Saturday night.

The tit-for-tat attacks have raised tensions in the area – and sources say gardai now fear an all-out war on the streets.

They believe associates of Whelan, shot dead by Flashy’s gang in Finglas last month, are intent on avenging his death – and the attack on his mam’s home has made them even more determined to injure or kill their rivals.

A source said last night: “They are desperate for revenge. It’s a miracle they haven’t hit back already, but this weekend has raised the stakes even more.” Nobody was injured in either of the two attacks on Saturday.

In the first incident, Ms Whelan narrowly cheated death when a smoke alarm went off in her home. Her partner managed to raise the alarm and rescue her.

Both have no involvement in the feud or any criminality. It’s understood Ms Whelan – who last night declined to comment – was asleep when the alarm went off.

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A source said: “Only for the alarm, she would have been in real trouble.

“She could easily have died. But luckily they managed to get her out.”

The property was badly damaged in the blaze and Ms Whelan’s car and another vehicle outside the home were also burned in the attack.

There were no arrests, but gardai in Finglas are investigating.

Then, later that day, associates of James Whelan – who was a criminal and had been feuding with Flashy’s drugs gang – hit back.

They went to the home of a female associate of Flashy and threw a petrol bomb at it. She also had no involvement in any criminality.

Gardai said nobody was injured in that attack.

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A spokeswoman said: “Gardai responded to reports of a fire at a residence in Finglas, Dublin 11 on Saturday evening, 21st May 2022.

“The fire was extinguished by Dublin Fire Services. The scene was preserved for a technical examination by investigating gardai.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

The two blazes came as Flashy himself posted pictures on his social media account that appeared to show him enjoying a sun holiday.

Despite his apparent bravado, sources say gardai fear Flashy is in imminent danger of being murdered by allies of Whelan.

We revealed earlier this month he is so afraid of being shot he has employed an associate to keep guard outside his fortified Finglas home. He is using one of his own men as a warning system if a hit team comes.

Whelan’s pals blame him for his murder in Finglas on April 3 – and are now out for his blood.

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They have identified Mr Flashy as being behind the murder of the 29-year-old even though gardai do not suspect he fired the fatal shot.

And it is understood investigators now fear that a hit may be on the cards.

Whelan, who was a former associate of Flashy but later became involved in a feud with his drugs gang, was shot after he petrol-bombed a property linked to his enemy in Finglas early in the morning of April 3.

Whelan carried out that attack in revenge for a house linked to an associate of his being shot up hours earlier. Sources say Whelan was seen by Flashy’s men when he carried out the petrol bomb attack and at least one chased him.

A key ally of Flashy pulled out a gun and fired a single shot at Whelan as he ran – hitting him in the back and he died at the scene.

Read more: Second home in Finglas targeted in suspected petrol bomb attack

Read more: House of slain gangster James Whelan subject of suspected petrol bomb attack

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