Burglar was real target of fire gang

THIS convicted burglar was the main intended target of a ruthless gang who doused his girlfriend in an accelerant and set her on fire.

- PAUL HEALY

Victim 'critical' after house horror | Criminal partner has 25 convictions

Francis Maguire, 49, is being treated for burns to his hands as he tried to put out a fire that was deliberately set on his girlfriend, 43, when she answered the door to her Dublin home to a gangland thug on Tuesday morning.

His girlfriend, who is understood to have children, had an accelerant thrown in her face and was set on fire at the doorstep of her home in Oak Downs, Clondalkin, at around 10am.

She remains in in tensive care in Tallaght Hospital where it is understood she is being treated for 60% body burns and is fighting for her life. Her condition is still being described as critical.

Sources say Maguire, who has 25 convictions, was the primary target of the gang - and was being targeted in a suspected row over drugs.

The savage gang who attacked his girlfriend also attempted to douse Maguire - who is understood to have ducked most of the accelerant. The attacker, who fled the area on a motorbike, is suspected to have targeted the couple because of an ongoing row with Maguire.

A number of men turned up at Maguire's home the previous afternoon, and gardai were alerted to claims of them brandishing knives. However no formal complaint was made to gardai at the time. Sources say this horrific attack is a significant escalation after a number of incidents at the house over the past number of years.

SHOCKING