Slain James Whelan’s associates pinpoint target for firebombing his mother’s house

Associates of slain James Whelan have vowed revenge on a Kinahan cartel associate they blame for torching Whelan’s mother’s home.

Sonya Whelan – who has no involvement in crime – was in her Finglas property on Saturday night when it was petrol bombed.

Her taxi was also burned out, but she was not injured.

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The Irish Mirror can reveal Whelan’s associates have now pinpointed as the culprit a man originally from the inner city who has carried out attacks on the Hutches for the Kinahan cartel.

Whelan’s associates believe this gangster was paid to burn out the house on behalf of Flashy’s gang.

A source said: “There are huge tensions and paranoia now and it’s leading to a lot of violence.

“These aren’t shrewd lads, they’re young, volatile thugs and off their head half the time.

“Rumour becomes fact and it’s there for everyone to see that social media threats are playing a huge role in it too.

“There’s no doubt there will be more coming in this one, it’s gone too far.”

Just hours after that attack, a different house linked to Mr Flashy was targeted with a firebomb in response by Whelan’s gang.

Meanwhile, Mr Flashy’s close ally remained in Garda custody in Finglas on Friday being quizzed after a gun and silencer find.

He was lifted following one house search before gardai found the firearm in another property on Thursday.

Three others were also detained there but they were released on Friday.

Flashy’s mate in custody was previously kidnapped by Whelan’s associates and given a vicious beating before being dumped on a roadside.

Another source said: “It’s moving at lightning pace. It’s one thing after another.”

The feud has seen over 70 attacks so far including a number of beatings, shootings and a grenade attack while Whelan became the first murder victim of the dispute on April 3.

Earlier this week, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the two mobs are “hellbent” in targeting each other.

But he insisted that every measure is being taken to put a halt to the violence.

He said: “We ourselves are very concerned with that overall situation.

“Obviously recent murder followed down by these very serious attacks and indeed arson attacks as well.

“And we’re very concerned about the ongoing threat from rival groups committed serious criminality in the Finglas area.

“But secondly, we put in place additional resources around patrolling.

“Finglas is supported by the national units, including the armed support unit, but also investigative resources.

“So we have put a lot of effort into making sure that we can nip this so-called feud in the bud as quickly as possible.”

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