Youth to appear in court over arson attacks

A YOUTH is set to appear in court next month in connection with two arson attacks on a school, which resulted in over €1 million in damage.

In an unprecedented move, gardaí fingerprinted more than 250 students as part of the investigation at the secondary school in Co Kerry. The first attack took place at the Christian Brothers’ School in Dingle last New Year’s Eve.

Six classrooms and an administrative area were destroyed at the 132-year-old school. Many irreplaceable items, including records and photographs, were lost in the blaze. The fire was discovered at 8.15am the following day, but gardaí believe it had been set much earlier.

A number of students had extended holidays until alternative accommodation was found for them.

The second attack took place on February 11. This time a prefab used by school principal Pádraig Feirtéar was torched. The fire was spotted at 10.50pm by a garda on patrol in the area.

A garda spokesman said: “We have received a direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to a youth who is to be prosecuted in connection with the incidents on New Year’s Day and February 11.”

He said it was expected the youth would appear in court in Dingle next month. The teenager is also facing a number of other charges, along with another youth, in connection with thefts and arson attacks on cars.

The garda spokesman said he would like to thank parents at the school for their cooperation during the investigation.