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GARDAI ARE TREATING as suspicious a major fire which destroyed an “iconic house” in Co Limerick overnight.
The property – a former parochial house – at Ballyhanrhan East, Patrickswell, was unoccupied when firefighters and gardai responded to the blaze at the property, shortly after 1am this morning.
According to local sources the house was being used as a den by youths, and that, vandalism had previously occurred inside of the former parish priest’s home.
A local source said the house had been renovated a number of years ago before it was rented out by a private owner, but the property had lay vacant for some time.
“Local youths had broken into it and had been using it. There has definitely been drinking there,” said a source.
“It’s a disgrace that this has happened. It’s very sad. I can’t believe it.”
The source said that recently a door at the rear of the house “was kicked in and a shutter had been forced as well”.
Gardai sealed off the property and carried out a forensic examination of the scene.
The results of the technical examination will determine the route of the garda investigation, a garda spokesman said.
A garda source said the fire was being treated as “suspicious”.
Firefighters fought the blaze for over four hours before eventually putting it out.
A number of local people expressed their “disgust” on social media at the damage caused to the house.
Some reported hearing loud bangs or explosions coming from the fire.
“Jesus Christ almighty, (someone) just told me he woke at 1.30 and thought it was gunshots going off there was so much banging coming off it,” wrote one woman.
“Yep, woke us up like fireworks going off,” added a man.
“What a sad end to a beautiful iconic building that has been at the centre of life in Patrickswell for decades,” added another man.
Units
Munster Fire Control received an alert about the fire at 1.11am.
Eight units from the Limerick City and County Fire Service attended the scene.
The last crew of firefighters returned to their base around 5.25am this morning.
Stephen Moore, who lives near the scene, said:
I’m very disappointed because it was such an iconic building in the village. It’s a pity…the house is gone, overnight…just like that, it’s gone.
“It’s horrible to see it.”
A garda spokesman stated: “Gardaí are investigating a fire that occurred at a house in Ballyhanrahan East, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick on the 16th October 2018 at approximately 1am.
“A technical examination will be carried out, the results of which will determine the course of the investigation.”
Appealing for witnesses, the spokesman said, anyone with information can “contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061-214340”.
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I’m getting it. 1st time. Everyone should get it this year. €20 quid or so in the chemist.
@Deirdre O C: got it last week chemist said it was free
@Deirdre O C:
€30.00 in boots if you don’t fit into the at risk category or live with someone at risk. Generally they are only giving it to the AT RISK or those that live with an AT RISK person because of low stocks.
I was willing to pay the 30.00 but got it for free because I live with 2 people at risk.
My partner had a local reaction to it last year. But didn’t this year.
I’m in the vulnerable category due to diabetes and other issues so I get it every year and haven’t had so much as a runny nose in at least 5 years.
Won’t need it as we’re all wearing masks
@Rory Mackle: You know masks won’t fill the GSK coffers though!
@LD: toxic comment
@Teresa O’Halloran: Same to you my friend!
@Rory Mackle: The vunerable do need it as we’re not all wearing masks and/or social distancing where appropriate. Hence why Covid19 is spreading again. Not getting it myself as I’m neither a vunerable person nor in regular close contact with vunerable people. With under 2 million total doses for a population of 4.9 million, the vunerable, those in close contact with them and healthcare workers should come first. The remainder can then be sold to those for whom the flu is a nasty inconvenience rather than a life threatening illness.
Anti vaccination crowd will love this
@Mmark Dos Santos Cahill: I don’t think they will.
@Stephen Gaffney: Earth to Steve, he was being sarcastic
@Crocodylus Pontifex: How did you detect his sarcasm and not mine?
Got mine this week. Had it booked since start of September. All good, just a wee bruise at the injection site.
@Mirabelle Stonegate: Wow you must be still on a high from all the excitement! What are you gonna do with yourself now until you can book your next one.
@LD: I’m just glad I was so on top of things. My parents are struggling to get appointments now. And my pharmacy only got in 30 out of over 100 ordered of their first batch, soi was really lucky to actually get sorted already.
@Mirabelle Stonegate: You wouldn’t even book appointments for your parents while you were so on top of things? Mirabelle Stoneheart more like.
@Fandandi: I went to my pharmacy,mum is trying to get it through her gp, and dad is trying to get it through his pharmacy. Three different places. They knew I made my booking, as I told them how convenient it had been, doing it through the sam McCauley app. If they had wanted appointments booked, I’d have had no issue doing that. They wanted their own appointments, at their preferred places.
@Mirabelle Stonegate: Don’t pay any heed to them. The anti-vaxxers are upset you actually got the jab and will use any excuse to have a go at you.
I want a debunking article please. I still can’t get the hang of this thinking for myself stuff
Why did catriona Perry and rte crew travel to the “epicentre ” of the deadly deadly virus today, in Derry
Did tracksuit wearing (thats never seen a track ) Stephen Nolan put them up in his isolation unit
I’ve never seen such unity between North and south
Got my jab last week sixteenth year running never got the flu in that time
@Sean Swords: what?
@Sean Swords: sixteen years running is an awful lot of running… Your legs must be like tree trunks at this stage.
Considering masks, social distance, higher hygiene and lockdown there will be far less flu around than usual. That’s what’s happened in Argentina and Australia earlier this year.
Can we get the Russian Covid-19 vaccine?
@Tony Ember: niet comrade
In the current environment it should be free. I will pay for it but so many can’t x
@Joanne Stack: I got mine free, because my mother, whom I live with, has diabetes and heart disease. They’re kinds throwing them at people this year, if they even dip a toe in a vulnerable category.
Got it last week sixteenth year running never had the in all that time
@Sean Swords: I’ve never got it and haven’t had the flu in my entire 41 years
Nasal vaccine ?? Never heard of that until recently. What does it entail? A needle up the nose or what? Not sure my kids will be doing thst
have your say