Ireland Gardaí appeal for information after arson attack on straw bales near Cashel
On the night of Wednesday 9 August 2023, straw bales were set alight in a field belonging to farmer Sean O'Reilly near Cashel, County Tipperary. Tipperary Live reports give the location as Ballinree in one article and near Ballytarsna in another. Gardaí believe the fire was a criminal damage incident, and 40 round bales were burned to a cinder. No arrest or charge has been reported. The latest development is a Garda appeal for information, published on 15 August 2023, asking anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Ballinree area to contact Cahir or Cashel Garda Stations.
- Reported12 Aug
2 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Straw bales were set alight in a field belonging to farmer Sean O'Reilly.
- Forty round bales of straw were burned to a cinder.
- Where
- One report places the field at Ballinree, Cashel, and another near Ballytarsna, Cashel, both in County Tipperary.
- When
- The bales were set alight on Wednesday, 9 August 2023, at night.
- Gardaí were alerted to the fire at approximately midnight.
- Cause
- Gardaí believe the fire was a criminal damage incident and said there is nothing to suggest it was an accident.
- Investigation
- An investigation is ongoing, and forensic officers were at the scene during the week.
- On 15 August 2023, gardaí appealed for information and asked anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Ballinree area to contact Cahir or Cashel Garda Stations.
- Other details
- The farmer does not know who set the fire or why, and described it as highly irresponsible and dangerous to nearby houses and livestock.
- The fire was near overhead ESB lines and a pylon.
- The bales were valued at €1,200.
- The blaze was visible from Cashel town, about five miles away.
- No arrest or charge has been reported.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatStraw bales were set on fire in a farmer's field. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatForty round bales of straw were burned to a cinder. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe field is near Ballytarsna, Cashel, in County Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe bales were in a field at Ballinree, Cashel. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe fire was set on Wednesday night. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe bales were set alight on Wednesday, 9 August 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
- causeGardaí believe the fire was a criminal damage incident. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationAn investigation is ongoing with gardaí. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationForensic officers have been at the scene all week. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationThe farmer has asked anyone with information to contact local gardaí. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed to the public for help in their investigation. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGardaí were alerted to the fire at around midnight. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe farmer does not know who set the fire or why. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe farmer described the fire as highly irresponsible and dangerous to nearby houses and livestock. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherGardaí said there is nothing to suggest the fire was an accident. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe fire happened near main overhead ESB lines and a pylon. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe bales destroyed in the fire are estimated to be worth €1,200. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe farmer condemned the arson as highly irresponsible. (tipperarylive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Aug2023Gardaí issue appeal for information on arson attack that destroyed 40 straw bales near Cashel
First report of the incident. Gardaí appeal for information and urge anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Ballinree area that night to contact Cahir or Cashel Garda Stations. The bales were valued at €1,200 and the fire was near overhead ESB lines.
victim, Sean O'Reilly, irish (judged from name)Sean O'Reilly - 12 Aug2023SHOCKING! Gardaí investigate after straw bales set on fire on Tipperary farm
Gives the location as Ballytarsna near Cashel, where the case record says Ballinree. Adds the farmer's comments that the fire was highly irresponsible and dangerous, that the farmer does not know who or why, that forensics have been at the scene all week, and the garda appeal.
victim