Two men arrested by gardaí investigating fire at Drogheda Ipas centre

The Ipas centre in Drogheda. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Two men have been arrested by gardaí investigating an arson attack at an International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) centre in Co Louth on Halloween night.

A baby and three other children were among several people who had to be rescued from the building in Drogheda on Friday.

Gardaí said they are continuing to investigate "all of the circumstances" surrounding the fire. 

In an update on the investigation, gardaí said a man aged in his 20s was arrested in Co Louth on Wednesday night for alleged offences under the Criminal Damage Act 1991. 

He is currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in the Co Louth area.

On Thursday morning, a second man, who is also in his 20s, was arrested for alleged offences under the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

"He is also currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in the Co Louth area," a Garda spokesperson said. 

Emergency services rescued an adult and four children, including a baby, when the fire broke out between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on October 31.

Gardaí said last weekend that the fire was "started deliberately by person or persons unknown" and that an investigation of attempted arson had begun.

"This was an extremely dangerous act endangering the lives of the residents, including children, who were in their home at the time," a garda spokesperson said last week. 

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan described the incident as a "criminal attack" and said there would be "serious consequences for those responsible".

More to follow...