Fire causes serious damage to Newbridge courthouse

Gardai in Co Kildare are investigating a fire at the courthouse in Newbridge this morning which all but destroyed the building.

The fire was spotted at around 6am and emergency services are at the scene. The cause of the fire is unknown and the area around the courthouse has been sealed off pending technical examination.

Meanwhile, an investigation is also underway into a fire which cause serious damage to a hotel in Athlone, Co Westmeath, last night. The blaze was spotted by a customer in the function room of the Lakeside Hotel at Ballykieran. Nobody was injured.