Man arrested after arson attack

A MAN in his late teens has been arrested by gardaí investigating an arson attack in Co Cork which caused up to €700,000 worth of damage.

A senior Garda spokesman confirmed that the man was arrested early yesterday morning and taken to Midleton Garda Station for questioning. He was being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act (1994). Under this legislation he could be held for up to 24 hours.

Detectives were questioning the man about a fire in Whitegate village, which caused extensive damage to three properties. Gardaí arrested the man after forensic experts confirmed that the fire had been started deliberately.