In Dublin’s north inner city, the burial of infamous narcotics trafficker Tony Felloni, son of an Italian migrant, took place. ‘Love Theme from The Godfather’, an instrumental composition by Nino Rota included in the classic 1972 film, echoed through the church as Felloni’s remains were removed at the end of a short ceremony.
Felloni, renowned for a substantial heroin operation that was spearheaded by the Garda’s Operation Pizza, passed away suddenly at 81, leaving behind a criminal record that includes several extended jail terms. Approximately 20 individuals, including two of Felloni’s children – Lena and Regina, attended the funeral mass held at St Saviour’s Church on Dominick Street. Cllr Mannix Flynn, a brother-in-law of Felloni, was also in attendance, standing by the younger attendees in an act of solidarity.
As the funeral procession passed through the rain-soaked streets, it consisted of a hearse and a couple of funeral vehicles and concluded at Crookstown Cemetery, County Kildare, where Felloni was laid to rest. A photo from his later years, along with a single bouquet of flowers, decorated his coffin during the Mass. A floral tribute reading ‘Dad’ and a collection of red roses were positioned in the hearse as it proceeded to the church on the street where Felloni had resided for the majority of his life.
During the service, Lena Felloni and several younger family members recited the prayers, but no one paid personal tribute to the deceased. After the brief service, the few mourners left in the funeral vehicles. The presiding cleric conveyed prayers for Felloni’s soul and expressed hopes that Felloni might now have found peace in the afterlife.
Public obituaries for Felloni were not published and there were no public details about his funeral services. Nonetheless, a post on social media urged any friends of the infamous heroin dealer to keep away from the funeral, a request that seemed to be generally observed, given the meagre attendance.
Felloni emerged as a predominant figure during Dublin’s heroin crisis in the 80s, actively participating in the narcotics trade for approximately two decades. He gained infamy after revelations surfaced that he involved his own children in his illicit activities, even causing some to develop addictions. This led to his being labelled ‘King Scum’ by the media.
A user of heroin himself, Felloni tested positive for HIV and held multiple convictions for domestic abuse. He was untimely freed from a 20-year incarceration in 2011, having served nearly 15 years. Additionally, he had earlier served a 10-year prison term in 1996 for his involvement in heroin trafficking.
Felloni’s extensive rap sheet included offences related to managing prostitution and previously, in the early 1980s, he was imprisoned in the UK for drug trafficking, serving a four-year sentence.
Despite resuming his heroin trade following his release from prison during the early 2000s, his declining health and growing age, which saw him into his late 60s, hindered his operations. By this time, the drug landscape had drastically transformed during his incarceration, with the rise of violent firearm disputes amongst Dublin’s criminal syndicates, preventing him from ever re-establishing his place in the drug trade.