Paramilitary ‘protection racket’ could be behind attacks

GARDAÍ are investigating whether criminal or paramilitary gangs are behind two arson attacks on head shops in Dublin’s north inner city in the last week.

Detectives are examining the possibility the head shops are being targeted as part of a ‘protection racket’.

In the latest suspected arson attack at around 9.30pm on Tuesday night, two men wearing balaclavas walked into the Happy Hippy head store on North Frederick Street, carrying a cannister. Two shocked members of staff looked on as they emptied petrol from the cannister over the front of the shop and set it alight. They then fled the scene.