Gardaí probe arson attack on bacon plant
Normal production had resumed by 11am at David Bradley’s Irish Bacon Slicers premises in the Innishmore Industrial Estate in Ballincollig, Co Cork.
Staff reported for duty as normal as Gardaí concluded their forensic examination at the rear of the plant where it is believed the blaze was started.
They are treating the fire as malicious and have launched a full investigation.
They plan to examine CCTV footage from cameras located on other business units within the estate in an effort to track down the culprits.
It is the second malicious fire in the industrial estate in less than three years.
A neighbouring business, Durapak Agri Ltd, was gutted in a blaze on Halloween night in 2007 which caused some €5 million worth of damage. A Garda car was petrol bombed in the area on the same night.
But Mr Bradley said his business suffered minimal damage in yesterday’s blaze.
“The damage is confined to the rear and outside of the plant. It’s not going to affect business at all. It’s business as usual,” he said.
There was extensive damage to a loading ramp at the rear of the premises and more damage to an outside freezer unit and the canopy covering it.
Wooden pallets stacked at the back of the plant, and a skip, were also badly damaged. But the large production section was not affected.
Mr Bradley said it will take some time to fully assess the cost of repairs but it is expected to run to tens of thousands of euro.
Cleaners were in the building until just after 2am and the alarm was raised at 4am.
The Ballincollig fire brigade responded and was supported by units from Cork city.
They had the blaze under control by 5.30am.
Irish Bacon Slicers has been based in Ballincollig for 12 years and employs up to 70 people.
The company produces and sells processed bacon products to the retail, fast food and food service sectors.
It also supplies a range of bacon products under its “own label” and “brand labels” to some of Ireland’s leading retailers and multiples.
