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Shooting of James Whelan

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2022 murder in Dublin, Ireland

James Whelan was shot dead on 3 April 2022 in the Deanstown area of Finglas, Dublin.

Background

A gang from the Finglas area has taken over the illicit drug dealing in that area, as well as Ballymun and Coolock. They were connected to the Kinahan Organised Crime Group and took over areas formerly run by them with the gang's blessing. Their leader in particular has close links to the Kinahan gang.

Because of their lavish lifestyle they were nicknamed "the Gucci Gang" and their leader was nicknamed "Mr. Flashy". Gardaí carried out a series of raids in 2019 against them with the support of the Garda helicopter and Armed Support Units. Small quantities of illicit drugs were found.

Gardaí were concerned in 2019 about a potential feud with another gang in west Dublin.

Victim

James Whelan was a member of the gang and had been named in court as being involved with illicit drugs. He had gotten involved with a young gang of dealers which had brought him into conflict with Mr Flashy.

Shooting

A house connected to the deceased was shot at early on Sunday morning, in response another house on the estate was petrol bombed. The deceased was shot around 4:30am that morning. Locals tried to help him until paramedics arrived, but despite both groups trying, he was declared dead at the scene.

An associate of Mr. Flashy in his early 20s is a suspect.

Aftermath

Both Gardaí and local residents fear there might be reprisal attacks.

Firebombing

On 21 May 2022, his mother and brother had to leave their house suddenly when it was firebombed at 2am. The house was extensively damaged, as were two cars outside. The family escaped without injury. The attack is believed to be the work of the gang who killed James Whelan.

References

  1. ^ MacNamee, Gareth (4 April 2022). "James Whelan murder investigation: Gardaí probe organised crime link to fatal Finglas shooting". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  2. ^ Reynolds, Paul (4 April 2022). "Dublin shooting believed linked to gang feud". RTÉ News. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  3. ^ Foy, Ken (4 April 2022). "Close associate of 'Mr Flashy' blamed for being shooter in gangland murder". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  4. Schiller, Robin; Foy, Ken (4 April 2022). "Violent reprisals feared after country's first suspected gangland murder in over a year". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  5. Schiller, Robin (3 April 2022). "Man shot dead in suspected gangland killing named locally as gardai launch murder probe". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  6. ^ Lally, Conor (4 April 2022). "First killing in Finglas feud prompts fears of worsening gang violence". Irish Times. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  7. ^ MacNamee, Gareth (8 August 2019). "Gucci Gang raids: Garda chopper and armed units sent to north Dublin areas in gangland crackdown". Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  8. ^ Bracken, Ali (21 May 2022). "Family home of murdered drug dealer James Whelan targeted in firebomb attack". Irish Independent.
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