"Fat" Freddie Thompson has been disguising himself against assassination.
Thompson has been wearing a wig based on Oasis star Liam Gallagher’s distinctive mop, sources said. Separately, gardai said today they seized four Glock handguns when they stopped two cars in Dublin. The automatic pistols, which are becoming increasingly popular among city gangs, were found in a search by officers in Clondalkin. Officers said the find was unconnected with recent feuding in the city.
Meanwhile, sources today told how Freddie Thompson, whose associates have been involved in the murderous feud in the capital, has also been wearing the wig around his Spanish hideaway. The unusual Oasis-style wig has caused much bemusement in Garda ranks. “He has been keeping what’s left of his hair completely cropped so it’s easier to wear the wig and look anonymous,”said a source today. “He can wear what he wants on his head, but there is no mistaking his face,” the source added.
Gardai were first alerted to the strange dress up routine when they stopped Thompson and one of his hoods in March 2005. Officers noticed a passenger and his driver wearing bullet proof vests while travelling close to the Dail on Dublin's Kildare Street. On closer inspection, gardai realised that the passenger was in fact Freddie Thompson.
Gardai described Freddie as a "Noel Gallagher look-alike" with a heavy wig and dark glasses.
Since then he has been spotted on further occasions donning the Oasis-style look.
Thompson is living in constant fear of his life from other crime rivals in the Crumlin/Drimnagh feud which has so far claimed 13 lives. Thompson left Ireland following a flurry of gangland tit for tat style incidents. Garda intelligence shows that a number of attempts had been made on his life. His name was also regularly appearing on 'hit lists' of rival gangs.
Thompson was travelling with his associate Patrick Doyle when he was murdered in Marbella on February 4 this year.
Since that date Thompson has remained in Spain where he is surrounded by friends and fellow criminals.
Recent gun and grenade attacks on the home of his grandparents in the Coombe and on the homes of a number of his partners-in-crime have contributed to his decision to remain in Spain. Rumours of his death last month were quashed and described as an "elaborate ploy". The gang boss was later pictured alive and well in his Spanish retreat.