Gardaí are investigating a suspected petrol bomb attack on the Department of Finance last night.
The flammable device was thrown through a window in the building at Merrion Street, Dublin, around 10.50pm by a man who approached from the Baggot Lane direction.
A small fire broke out and a garda on duty in the building attempted to extinguish the fire before calling the fire services.
A spokesman for the Department said the majority of damage was done to the window and the frame. A small amount of petrol got into the room but the damage was minimal, he said. Gardaí are currently carrying out a forensic examination of the room.
The man being sought by gardaí was wearing a dark coloured woolly hat with his face covered by a scarf. He wore a black fleece top that zipped up the front with a white logo on it and dark blue jeans.
Gardaí are appealing for potential witnesses and taxi drivers who may have carried someone matching this description to contact them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gardaí at Pearse Street on 01 6669000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
