Shooting of James Whelan

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James Whelan was shot dead on 3 April 2022 in the Deanstown area of Finglas, Dublin. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Background

A gang from the Finglas area has taken over the illicit drug dealing in that area, as well as Ballymun and Coolock. [7] They were connected to the Kinahan Organised Crime Group and took over areas formerly run by them with the gang's blessing. [7] Their leader in particular has close links to the Kinahan gang. [7]

Because of their lavish lifestyle they were nicknamed "the Gucci Gang" and their leader, revealed in 2025 to be Glen Ward, [8] was given the nickname "Mr. Flashy" by the media. [7] Gardaí carried out a series of raids in 2019 against them with the support of the Garda helicopter and Armed Support Units. [7] Small quantities of illicit drugs were found. [7]

Gardaí were concerned in 2019 about a potential feud with another gang in west Dublin. [7]

Victim

James Whelan was a member of the gang and had been named in court as being involved with illicit drugs. [1] He had gotten involved with a young gang of dealers which had brought him into conflict with Glen Ward. [1] [2] [3]

Shooting

A house connected to the deceased was shot at early on Sunday morning, in response another house on the estate was petrol bombed. [6] The deceased was shot around 4:30am that morning. [6] Locals tried to help him until paramedics arrived, but despite both groups trying, he was declared dead at the scene. [6]

An associate of Glen Ward in his early 20s is a suspect. [3]

Aftermath

Both Gardaí and local residents fear there might be reprisal attacks. [6]

Firebombing

On 21 May 2022, his mother and brother had to leave their house suddenly when it was firebombed at 2am. [9] The house was extensively damaged, as were two cars outside. [9] The family escaped without injury. [9] The attack is believed to be the work of the gang who killed James Whelan. [9]

As of 2024 Gardaí still remained concerned about tensions between the two gangs involved. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 Reynolds, Paul (4 April 2022). "Dublin shooting believed linked to gang feud". RTÉ News . Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 Lally, Conor (4 April 2022). "First killing in Finglas feud prompts fears of worsening gang violence". Irish Times . Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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. ↑ "Brother of gangster 'Mr Flashy' jailed for firing rifle in display designed 'to intimidate'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Bracken, Ali (21 May 2022). "Family home of murdered drug dealer James Whelan targeted in firebomb attack". Irish Independent .
  10. ↑ Lally, Conor (11 May 2024). "Dublin's new gangland feuds: Why Drimnagh killing has led to heightened Garda concerns". The Irish Times . Retrieved 10 April 2025.
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