Gardaí launch witness appeal over ‘arson incident’ at former pub in Dublin

The Taoiseach and the Justice Minister have also issued statements about the fire.

Gardaí have launched a witness appeal as part of their investigation into "an incident of criminal damage by fire" that occurred at a vacant Dublin pub in the early hours of Sunday morning (31 December). At around 1.55am, Garda officers responded to reports of the blaze at the former Shipwright pub on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend in Dublin 4. Dublin Fire Brigade also attended the scene and extinguished the fire. No people were in the building at the time of the blaze.

Overnight, firefighters were called to a vacant premises on fire in #Ringsend

6️⃣ Fire engines attended including a turntable ladder to fight the fire from above ? Smoke drifted across the area Thanks to @DubCityCouncil who increased the water supply to the fireground pic.twitter.com/NgswSP6jhG — Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) December 31, 2023

Gardaí launch witness appeal over 'arson incident' at former pub in Dublin

Gardaí have said that the "arson incident" caused "substantial damage" to the property, which the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive has confirmed it had planned to use as emergency accommodation for homeless families. In a statement on 1 January, An Garda Síochána revealed that the probe into the fire is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer and that an incident room has been established at Irishtown Garda Station. Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have information in relation to the blaze to contact them, stating:

"Any person, including road users and pedestrians, who were in the vicinity of Thorncastle Street between 1.00am and 2.30am and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating Gardaí. "Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the Ringsend area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to Gardaí. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Irishtown Garda Station 01 666 9600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. "An Garda Síochána is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building."

Leo Varadkar has issued a statement regarding the Ringsend fire

In a statement on New Year's Eve about the fire, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:

“The incident in Ringsend is under investigation by An Garda Síochána, which is doing everything it can to determine the cause of the fire. "If this was the result of a deliberate act, all efforts will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice. Anyone with information should contact the Gardaí. "The premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families.”

In a separate statement the same day, Justice Minister Helen McEntee wrote:

"The incident in Ringsend is currently under investigation by An Garda Síochána. If this was the result of a deliberate act, which has not yet been established, the perpetrators will be brought to justice. "Arson is a very serious crime which carries heavy prison sentences. No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear or to threaten public order. "An Garda Síochána are doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire. I would encourage anyone with any information in relation to the incident to contact An Garda Síochána."

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