Two men arrested over suspected arson attack on elderly couple’s Cork home

The arrests relate to a fire at a home in the Dublin Pike area of Ballincrokig, Cork City, on the night of April 24. Picture: David Creedon

Two men have been arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack that left an elderly couple’s home extensively damaged in Cork last month.

The men, both aged in their 30s, were detained during an operation carried out in the Dublin area on Tuesday, May 6. 

Detectives from Cork searched two residential properties in the capital as part of the ongoing investigation. 

The men are currently being held at a Garda station in Cork City under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The arrests relate to a fire at a home in the Dublin Pike area of Ballincrokig, Cork City, on the night of April 24.

 

The interior of the home in Ballincrokig, Cork where two petrol bombs were thrown through the bedroom window causing extensive damage. Picture: David Creedon

Shortly after 9pm, Gardaí and fire services responded to reports of a blaze at the property, where an elderly couple in their 80s were rescued from the burning house.

Four units of Cork City Fire Service responded to the scene, and the couple were treated for smoke inhalation by fire personnel and paramedics from the National Ambulance Service.

The home sustained extensive damage and was later sealed off for a technical and forensic examination.

It is understood one line of inquiry is that the house may have been mistakenly targeted.

The investigation is being led by the Serious Crime Investigation Unit in Cork and remains ongoing. 

Further updates are expected.