Overnight arson attacks raise fears of feud in small pocket of Dublin

The petrol bombings follow a series of violent incidents last week, starting last Monday night, when shots were discharged at a van on Inchicore

In separate statements, Garda HQ said gardaí and fire crews attended scenes at two homes — one in Ballyfermot and another in Inchicore — following reports of 'criminal damage by fire' at residences. File photo

There is growing concern that violence “appears to be spreading” across a small patch of south west Dublin after two further arson attacks on homes.

Two suspected petrol bomb attacks — one in Ballyfermot and one in nearby Inchicore — happened in the early hours of Monday.

The incidents follow three violent events in the area last week, comprising two shootings and one suspected attempted ramming of people in Inchicore and the neighbouring Bluebell area.

While garda investigations are still at an early stage, detectives will examine whether any, or all, of them are connected.

Local sources believe they may be linked, either to a violent feud that accidently claimed the life of a young man two years ago or drug-dealing along the Luas track in nearby Drimnagh.

The incidents overnight on Sunday occurred on Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot and Emmet Close in Inchicore.

In separate statements, Garda HQ said gardaí and fire crews attended scenes at two homes — one in Ballyfermot and another in Inchicore — following reports of “criminal damage by fire” at residences.

It said that, in both cases, the Dublin Fire Brigade “extinguished” the fires. The statements said “no injuries” were reported in either cases. It confirmed that investigations are ongoing but did not comment on whether or not gardaí were investigating possible connections.

These petrol bombings follow a series of violent incidents last week, starting last Monday night, when shots were discharged at a van on Inchicore. A father and son were sitting in the parked car on Jamestown Road when a masked man came up beside them on a e-scooter and opened fire.

None of the occupants were hit. Gardaí confirmed they were investigating.

A second gun attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when shots were fired in a new apartment complex off the Naas Road, a 10-minute walk from Monday’s shooting and opposite Bluebell.

It is thought the target on Wednesday was the same as Monday, this time at his home at Castleview Apartments.

In the third incident, later on Wednesday, there are reports that a car drove across the Naas Road into Bluebell and attempted to drive over some young people outside the row of shops there. Local sources suspect this may have been in retaliation to the gun attacks.

There followed local reports of a petrol bomb attack on a house in the Walkinstown area — a short drive away from the first three incidents.

Garda HQ said the only incident reported was fire damage to the wall of a house in Crumlin, which adjoins Walkinstown, at around 10pm on Thursday. It is not clear if this incident is connected with the other ones.

Speaking on Monday, local Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan, who is also chair of Dublin South Central Community Safety Forum, said: “Last night’s petrol bomb attacks in Ballyfermot and Inchicore have left communities terrified and frightened.

These attacks come after a number of petrol bomb and gun attacks last week in this part of Dublin. The violence appears to be spreading.

“Communities deserve to live in peace and safety. These attacks are attacks on the whole community. Those behind the attacks need to realise the damage they are doing to our neighbours. They need to immediately stop. Their reign of terror needs to stop.

“I am calling on the minister for justice, Jim O’Callaghan, to meet with elected representatives, community leaders and local services here in Ballyfermot and Inchicore to hear at first hand what needs to be done to tackle the causes and consequences of the increased violence in our communities.

“It is only by working together that we will tackle this violence and ensure our communities are safe places for everyone.”

• Cormac O’Keeffe, security correspondent