Gardaí investigating a suspected arson attack on a centre for international protection applicants in Co Louth last week have made the first arrests in the case. Two suspects, both men in their 20s, were being held for questioning on Thursday morning.
Their arrests followed an intense Garda inquiry since the fire on Halloween night, which was set when an accelerant was spread on stairs at the property in Drogheda and then set on fire.
One adult and four children, including a baby, had to be rescued from the top floor of the property as the fire quickly spread on the stairs and hallway, blocking the exit route. The arsonist was caught setting the fire on CCTV footage recorded inside the property.
Gardaí issued a brief statement on Thursday morning confirming a man in his 20s had been arrested in Co Louth on Wednesday night while the second suspect, also in his 20s, was arrested on Thursday morning.
READ MORE
Both were arrested in connection with “alleged offences under the Criminal Damage Act” and were being detained at a Garda station in the Louth division under section four of the Criminal Justice Act.
Gardaí believe at least two men were involved in setting the blaze at the Ipas centre, with one pouring the accelerant and starting the fire and the other waiting at a door to the property, acting as look-out and ensuring a quick getaway.
Some of the children rescued from the fire, including a 20-day-old and a 17-month-old, were taken to hospital for assessment while 23 other people were relocated to alternative accommodation after the blaze on George’s Street.
It was initially suspected fireworks had been discharged into the property, causing the fire. CCTV footage has since emerged, however, which shows a man deliberately setting the blaze on the staircase.
The man who set the fire had an accelerant, wore gloves and concealed his identity with a hood and face covering.
The staircase was the only exit from the upper floors where the rescued asylum seekers were located. Gardaí believe the nature of the incident will likely justify attempted murder or endangerment charges, as well as arson.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan described the arson attack as “attempted murder” while speaking on Wednesday during a Dáil debate about international protection.
“We saw the reprehensible act of an individual literally trying to set a building on fire in the knowledge that there were people in that building,” he said. “And that, being honest, that was an attempted murder, if ever I have seen one, in terms of the consequences of a fire going up on that stairwell.”
Gardaí have asked anyone in the George’s Street area of Drogheda between 7.30pm and 8.20pm last Friday, or anyone with information on the incident, to contact Drogheda or any other Garda station.
“Information may be provided in confidence to An Garda Síochána by calling the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111,” they said in a statement.
