Two arrested in €5m arson attack investigation
The two in their early 20s were arrested at their homes in Ballincollig and Carrigaline in Co Cork during a co-ordinated operation that began at about 7am. Their homes were also searched.
They were arrested under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and taken to the Bridewell and Guarranabraher Garda stations where they were held overnight. They can be detained for 48 hours.
They were also questioned in connection with a petrol bomb attack on a Garda patrol car in the Innishmore area of Ballincollig in the hours before the blaze at the nearby Innishmore Industrial Estate on October 31.
A number of other people are helping gardaí with their enquiries, said Superintendent Con Cadogan.
Durapak Agri Ltd, a large agricultural suppliers company, was completely gutted in the arson attack.
It is understood the fire was started in a pile of wooden pallets that were stored against the rear of the premises.
About 60 firefighters spent several hours bringing the blaze under control and successfully managed to prevent it from spreading to other businesses in the area.
Gardaí mounted a large scale investigation into both attacks and conducted a detailed forensic examination of the scene, and exhaustive door-to-door enquiries in the locality.
They also studied CCTV footage from several garages in Ballincollig to establish if anyone had bought petrol in suspicious circumstances.
Supt Cadogan said a team of 15 detectives had gleaned vital information from all avenues of enquiry.
“I would like to thank especially the people of Innishmore for their help,” he said.
Durapak managing director Seamus O’Callaghan said the fire had caused huge disruption. “But we have succeeded in keeping the operation going,” he said.
The firm has relocated to the farm of Denis and Joe Lucey in nearby Ovens.
“We have supplied most of our customers with orders over the last six weeks,” he said.
“While we did lose a lot of business, we have managed to minimise the level of commercial damage to our business. We have been well supported by our suppliers and banks.
“I am very grateful to the staff and to the Lucey’s for their kindness and help in this difficult time,” he said.
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