'Shocking and worrying' - Arson attack on Muslim's place of worship in Limerick condemned

BISHOP Brendan Leahy has described the attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre in Dooradoyle as "shocking and worrying" - and has expressed his solidarity with the local Muslim community.

"As has been pointed out by others, such an attack is uncommon and not supported by the vast majority of people in Limerick. No matter what our creed or religious belonging, we are all brothers and sisters, children of the one God," he said.

The leader of the Catholic church in Limerick has described the incident as "a wake-up call" for people to work together and build peace "in a world that is increasingly fractured and polarised.”

Elsewhere, Limerick's metropolitan district leader, Cllr Daniel Butler, has also condemned the arson attack on the Muslim place of worship.

The gardai and fire services were called to the Islamic Cultural Centre in Dooradoyle late on Thursday night following the incident.

Gardai are investigating what they described as an incident of "criminal damage by fire" at the premises.

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It is understood a male approached the mosque and threw a petrol bomb through a window of the place of worship.

There's been widespread criticism of the attack, which is understood began in the bathroom of the facility.

Cllr Butler has described it as "a deeply disturbing and reckless act of violence" which has no place in Limerick.