Gardaí probe suspected arson attack at home of elderly couple near Cork City

The inside of the house in Kilcully, Co Cork, which was targeted in a suspected arson attack. Picture: David Creedon

Gardaí are investigating why the home of an elderly couple was targeted in a suspected arson attack in Cork City on Thursday night. 

The couple, who are in their mid-80s, were in the house at Ballincrokig, near Kilcully cemetery, when the attack occurred at around 9pm last night.

The emergency services responded quickly to the scene and the man and woman were evacuated and treated for smoke inhalation by fire personnel. Four units of Cork City Fire Service responded to the scene.

The elderly couple were also checked by paramedics from the National Ambulance Service, who also responded to the incident.

The home was preserved for a technical examination by gardaí, who said on Friday that no arrests have yet been made in relation to the incident. The property remains sealed off this afternoon.

It is understood that one of the lines of investigation is that the property was targeted mistakenly.

A Garda statement said that nobody was injured in the incident.

It added: “No arrests have been made at this time. The scene remains preserved for technical and forensic examination. Investigations are ongoing.”