New armed gardai patrols plot after innocent family cheat death in Dublin home petrol bombing as attack theory emerges
A teenage boy was forced to jump from a window after a fire swept through their property
ARMED gardai are to increase patrols in the area where an innocent family cheated death when their home was petrol bombed.
Officers from the Armed Support Unit and the Dublin Crime Response Team are two of the specialist units who are now supporting frontline officers in Finglas and Ballymun, north Dublin.
The patrols are being stepped up after a woman and a teenage boy suffered serious injuries when a property in Creston Avenue, north Dublin, was targeted at 12.45am on New Year’s Eve.
Their home was targeted when a petrol bomb was thrown through a window at the rear of the building.
During the terrifying incident, a teenage boy suffered a broken leg after he jumped from a window after a fire swept through their property.
The woman and teenager are tonight still being treated in hospital for their injuries.
Another woman, along with two teenage girls, were also treated in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The main line of inquiry is that the home was targeted in a case of mistaken identity as part of an ongoing feud between two groups from the north Dublin area, who have no connection whatsoever to this innocent family.
Following the incident, gardai will now step up patrols as part of their efforts to prevent further attacks.
Gardai have also appointed a Senior Investigating Officer to lead a team of detectives as the hunt for the petrol bombers continues
One source said: “The increased patrols is about providing reassurance to the local community.
“This was a reckless and dangerous attack on a completely innocent family.
“There have been a number of incidents between two rival groups and thankfully no-one has lost their lives.”
Detectives also believe a stabbing in Ballymun last year is linked to ongoing tensions between the two groups.
They are also continuing to monitor social media messages about those involved in the dispute.
‘APPALLING INCIDENT’
Local Sinn Fein TD Dessie Ellis said he believes it’s a miracle no one was killed in the attack and offered his sympathies to the victims, while encouraging people to engage with gardai.
He told us: “It is only through the grace of God that we aren’t dealing with another incident similar to the one in Edenderry last month.
“This was an appalling incident in which innocent lives could have been lost.
“My sympathies are with the family involved in this terrible incident.
“I would encourage anyone with the slightest bit of information on who was responsible to contact the gardai.”
INTENDED TARGET
Following the horrific attack, video footage of the blaze was widely shared on social media.
In one clip, residents can be heard screaming as the property became engulfed in flames.
And gardai are also aware of a WhatsApp voice message referring to the incident by a man who claims he was the intended target.
This was a reckless and dangerous attack on a completely innocent family.”
Irish Sun source
They are also aware of another message on social media in which another man denied any involvement in the incident.
Investigators have continued their appeal for information on the terrifying incident, and teams of officers spent several days examining the scene for clues.
INFORMATION APPEAL
A spokesperson said: “Gardai are appealing for information relating to an incident of criminal damage by fire at a residential property in Finglas on December 31.
“Gardai and emergency services responded to a report of a fire at Creston Avenue at around 12.45am.
“Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or noticed anything suspicious in the Creston area between midnight and 1.00am on New Year’s Eve to contact them.”
Anyone with information should contact Finglas Garda station on 016667500 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.
