Finglas arson attack: Woman left fighting for her life is now in 'stable' condition

Gardaí said four other people injured in the fire-bombing, which targeted the wrong house, were released from hospital

The scene at Creston Avenue in Finglas on New Year's Eve after a house was set on fire in what gardaí now say was a case of mistaken identity. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

The condition of a woman left fighting for her life after a reckless arson attack in north Dublin on New Year’s Eve appears to have improved and is now described as being stable.

Gardaí said that the four other people affected by the fire-bombing, which targeted the wrong house, have been released from hospital.

This includes a boy who was described last Wednesday morning as suffering serious injuries in the blaze.

Detectives suspect the attack is part of a violent local feud between two extended families in the Finglas and Ballymun area.

Sources have said the fire could have caused multiple fatalities.

Lone attacker on motorbike

Eyewitnesses have said that a lone attacker, on a motorbike, was involved. He smashed in the downstairs window of a three-storey house on Creston Avenue and threw in a pipe bomb, just after midnight.

It turned out to be a wrong house, which was occupied by people totally unconnected to the fued.

Some of the occupants had to jump out of upstairs windows and were assisted by neighbours.

While members of the feuding families are suspected of being involved in drug dealing, gardaí believe the violence is fuelled by personal hatred rather than criminal matters.

Stabbing and attempted bombing in feud

The feud has seen a stabbing, extensive criminal damage, and an unsuccessful pipe bomb attack just before Christmas, prompting verbal taunts and threats on social media.

Gardaí are examining CCTV and other footage to try to track the attacker and are gathering intelligence from local sources.

Detectives are following a line of inquiry in relation to the rival family, but are factoring in the possibility that they could have got a teenager, who might not be from the area, to carry out the attack.

A Garda update on Friday evening said: “Gardaí continue to investigate an incident of criminal damage by fire at a residential property in Finglas, Dublin 11 on Wednesday,  December 31.

Four of the five occupants of the house have been discharged from hospital and continue to receive medical attention. 

“The woman, aged in her 40s, remains in hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Her condition is described as stable.” 

Appeal for witnesses 

It said local gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or noticed anything suspicious in the Creston Avenue area between midnight and 1am on Wednesday, December 31, to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 6667500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111, or any garda station.

It asked people who may have video footage from the area between those times (including CCTV and dashcam) to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.