Funeral for slain Finglas gangster James Whelan to take place on Wednesday

The mass for the 29-year-old will take place at River Mount Parish with 11.30am mass followed by burial at Dardistown Cemetery.

His notice on RIP.ie states that “the death has occurred of the late, James Whelan (3rd April 2022) suddenly”.

“Surrounded by his loving family, sadly missed by his loving mother Sonya, father James and David, brother Sean, sister Tori, loving partner Jean, son King Parker The Boss.”

It adds: “Grandparents Nanny G G and Joe, Nanny Tayes, sister in-law Vennesa, brother in-law David, Sonya, loving partner Jason, aunts and uncles, loving dog Rico, extended family and a very wide large circle of friends.”

In the condolences section people have left numerous messages of sympathy.

One reads: "Taughts. With all of the family such a sad loss so young rest in peace.”

Another adds: “Thinking of you Sonia, Sean, Lori, on the heartbreaking loss of James hope you get some comfort and strength from the support of family and friends. R.I.P. James.”

One other person has written: “From one mammy to another, I am heartbroken for you and your family. I hope you get peace, and the support and justice you deserve on the loss of your beautiful baby boy.”

Another reads: “Sincere condolences to our old neighbours and friends the Whelan family, thinking of you all at this very sad time may he rest in peace.”

We revealed how gardaí are braced for violence in the aftermath of the gangster's funeral this week.

A bitter blame game is playing out among some associates of Whelan who believe that the drug dealer was the victim of a double-cross by an individual in his own gang who tipped off his waiting killers.

Gardaí believe that there is "no absolutely no doubt" that there will be reprisals for the brutal murder of Whelan, who was shot dead in a hail of gunfire from a high-velocity weapon close to a property connected to his former pal turned bitter enemy 'Mr Flashy.'

His death is being mourned by many of his closest associates, and armed gardaí are expected to closely monitor Whelan's funeral, which is expected to be "a considerable gangland event" given the dad-of-one's major criminal connections throughout the city.

While preparations are being made for his burial, the Sunday World can reveal that the gangster's associates have already made their own plans for who should succeed him.

His successor is a long-standing drug dealer from the Finglas area on Dublin's northside, aged in his early 20s.

He previously had close links to gangster Paul 'Farmer' Martin, who was shot dead in an unsolved murder in a Finglas pub 14 years ago in a hit which was orchestrated by slain gang boss Eamon 'The Don' Dunne.