Garda appeal after spate of car arsonist attacks

Gardaí are seeking public assistance following a spate of car arson attacks in an east Cork town.

The plea came after four vehicles were targeted in the space of eight days in Youghal.

All the cars involved were “older, non-immobilised vehicles” and the crimes occurred in the early hours of the morning in the western, the Strand, area of the town, according to gardaí.

The attacks began in the early July when a vintage-type sports car, taken from the Summerfield area, was found ablaze a mile away at Beanfied, near Redbarn. “Half an hour later, an ageing Honda was taken from the near vicinity and also set alight at Beanfield.

The third incident occurred around 2.20 am on Wednesday last when a 99-registered Nissan was taken from the Hilltop area, close to the greyhound track, and set on fire at Redbarn.

At about 3 am last Thursday, another older Honda was set on fire in nearby Millfield. “It seems an attempt to break into the vehicle had failed and, instead, it was set alight on the spot,” gardaí said.

Forensic evidence has been collated and general CCTV coverage of the area is being studied. Enquiries are continuing into all the incidents. The Strand in particular receives an influx of holidaymakers including caravan park residents, at this time of year, leading gardaí to suspect the culprit or culprits may not be local offenders.

“Outside of the distress and inconvenience caused to the owners, it is a very worrying trend and we would be very grateful for any assistance or information,” says the garda. “We would ask anyone who has noticed suspicious behaviour, no matter how trivial it may seem, to contact us. Meantime we advise owners of older cars in particular to be on the alert.”

Contact Youghal Garda Station on (024) 92200.