Gardaí question four over arson attacks
The men, aged between 17 and 24, were arrested after 11 fires were lit causing tens of thousands of euro of damage in recent weeks.
The properties damaged or destroyed included a school, a health centre, three houses, a caravan and a number of farm sheds, mostly around Buncrana.
Cars, tractors and a factory were also torched during the attacks, which took place at night.
A fifth youth, aged 17, arrested on Wednesday, has been released.
Two of the other four arrested are being questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station while the remaining two are being interviewed at Buncrana Garda Station.
They were arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
Garda Superintendent Kevin English confirmed extra manpower had been drafted in to assist in the investigation.
The attacks have caused panic across the region, particularly as no motive had been found for what seemed like simply random fires.
“Since the start of July, we have 11 incidents and we drafted in extra personnel and with the public’s co-operation, we arrested five people,” Supt English said.
One woman, whose children became caught up in the attacks, had pleaded with those responsible to stop before someone died.
Julie Cooke, of Hilltown, Buncrana, revealed how her children aged eight and one had to be woken from their beds at 3.30am on Monday after a house at the back of her own was set alight.
“This is going to have to stop before someone is killed,” she said.
Acting chief fire officer Bobby McMenamin said the fires were pushing his officers to the limit and also pleaded with those behind the attacks to stop before it was too late.
Local TD Padraig MacLochlainn appealed for anyone who knew those behind the attacks to come forward.
