Limerick arson attack is raised with superintendent
A SUSPECTED arson attack at a Limerick council property which was being renovated for new tenants has been raised with senior gardai.
The detached bungalow, located on the main N21 road between Newcastle West and Rathkeale, was set alight under the cover of darkness, the Leader revealed last week.
Approximately €45,000 had been spent on refurbishing the property.
A garda spokesperson confirmed that gardaí attended the scene of criminal damage by fire at a location at Reens Pike, Ardagh, in the early hours of Monday August 28.
Cllr Liam Galvin asked Superintendent Ollie Kennedy about the investigation into the arson attack at a Joint Policing Sub-Committee of the Municipal District of Newcastle West.
“You may be handcuffed, so to speak,” said Cllr Galvin.
Supt Kennedy said he “couldn’t go into specifics” but added. “Major incidents are fully investigated and led by Detective Sergeant (Mike) Reidy.”
He said he didn’t want to go into one incident while investigations are ongoing but that it is “being taken very seriously”.
Limerick Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene within minutes following a report made at 3.25am on the morning in question. Two appliances from Newcastle West and one from Rathkeale fought the blaze for over four hours.
A Limerick City and County Council spokesperson confirmed that a property, which formed part of its housing stock, was gutted by fire.
“The incident is now the subject of a full criminal investigation by An Garda Siochana,” said the spokesperson.
The property came back into council stock in June and the refurbishment programme was due to be completed later this month.
The council spokesperson said a family had been identified for the house. Engineering reports are to be prepared to decide on whether the home can be saved or not.
According to one local source, the arson attack was “professionally done” and an accelerant used.
“The talk is that the fire was started in the attic and they opened all the windows so they knew what they were doing.”
It is not known why this property was targeted.
Anyone with information or video footage relating to the incident are asked to contact investigating gardai.