Gardaí probe Youghal arson attack

Gardaí suspect an arson attack on a house may be linked to a planning objection which has sparked furious debate in a Co Cork town.

Emergency services were alerted to a fire at a house in Youghal yesterday morning, which gardaí say was started when a petrol bomb was thrown into the property.

The middle-aged couple who live in the house managed to escape injury and while some damage was caused it wasn’t extensive.

Gardaí believe the arsonist struck at around 3.45am at the house at Upper Strand, on the eastern side of the town.

The petrol bomb was thrown into a downstairs room of the two-storey house, which is close to the Catholic Church, on the side of the main road.

Gardaí preserved the scene for an examination by forensic experts yesterday.

They are hoping the forensic results may shed light on the identity of the arsonist.

There has been considerable debate in the town, which is crying out for development, after objections were made to An Bord Pleanála about permission granted to a consortium for a supermarket at the former Seafield Fabrics factory.

The factory, which is next to Perks Amusements centre, has been lying idle for years.

Cllr Aaron O’Sullivan (FF), who lives in the town, condemned the arson attack as “outrageous and extremely dangerous”.

“I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. There are no circumstances in which this incident could ever be tolerated or justified,” the barrister said.

He said that in recent days there has been heated debate, particularly online, about an appeal to An Bord Pleanála regarding planning permission for the site.

Cllr O’Sullivan said some people had “sought to personalise the issue” about some of the objectors to the planning permission.

“This is extremely wrong. I believe that the proposed development will be a positive boost for Youghal and the broader East Cork area and therefore I disagree with the objectors. However, their constitutional rights of due process and to participate in the planning process must be respected at all times,” Cllr O’Sullivan said.

Garda sources said they are looking at the possibility that the arson attack is linked to planning objections. They are particularly interested to speak to anybody who may have seen suspicious activity around the house from 3am to 4am yesterday.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Midleton Garda Station on [phone], or Youghal Garda Station on (024) 92200.