‘No obvious motive’ for petrol bomb attack on garda station

A SENIOR garda said yesterday he could not establish any motive for a firebomb attack on a garda station.

Superintendent Michael Finn made his comments after five Molotov cocktails, or petrol bombs, were hurled at Blackrock Garda Station, Cork city.

None of the three gardaí in the station were hurt and no serious damage was done.

“They heard a bang and went outside for a look. They put the petrol bombs out with a fire extinguisher. It appears they were thrown at upstairs windows,” Supt Finn said.

Gardaí went out on foot and in patrol cars looking for the culprits but were unable to locate them. However, they encountered a woman who said she saw two youths running in the direction of Dun Locha, which is opposite the front door of the garda station.

“We’re surprised by the incident, because we don’t see any obvious motive. There haven’t been any serious incidents in the area of late. We have very good relations with the public and there’s only a very small criminal element,” Supt Finn said.

The bombing happened at 11.45pm on Monday. Four of the bombs exploded but one failed to ignite. That one was sent yesterday to Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Dublin for technical examination.

Supt Finn said whoever carried out the petrol bombing probably came to the scene and fled on foot.