Man sought after petrol bomb thrown at department

GARDAÍ are trying to track down a masked man who threw a petrol bomb at the Department of Finance buildings late on Sunday night.

Gardaí said the blast caused “a small amount of damage” to the office, which is part of Government Buildings, on Merrion Street in Dublin city.

Gardaí yesterday appealed to members of the public who were in the area at the time to come forward.

“At approximately 10.50pm a lone male approached the front of The Department of Finance on Merrion Street and threw a bottle containing an accelerant at one of the front windows,” said a Garda spokesman.

He said the man had approached Merrion Street from the Baggotrath Lane direction, a quiet laneway that links up with Merrion Row.

The Garda spokesman went on to say the suspect was wearing a dark-coloured woolly hat and his face was covered by a scarf.

“He also wore a black fleece top that zipped up the front with a white logo on it. The T-shirt he wore underneath was light in colour. He also wore dark blue jeans.

“Anyone who was in the area at the time (between 10.15pm and 11.15pm) and who may have witnessed the incident or who may have any information to offer is asked to contact gardaí at Pearse Street on 01 6669000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”

The spokesman also appealed to any taxi drivers who were working in the area and who may have picked up, or dropped off, anyone matching this description to contact them.

Gardaí are conducting inquiries in the area, including in pubs and restaurants nearby and are examining local CCTV footage.