Ireland Gardaí appeal for witnesses after criminal damage by fire in Trim, Co Meath
A petrol bomb was thrown at the home of a prison officer in the Effernock area of Trim, Co Meath, smashing a window and entering the house on Monday 29 July 2024. One report gives the time as around 11:30pm and another as around 5am. The officer, who was at home with his wife and at least one other family member, quickly extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported. Gardaí are investigating the incident as criminal damage by fire, the Irish Prison Service is also investigating, and no arrests or charges have been reported; the latest development, on 1 August 2024, was a Garda appeal for witnesses and for a person with unexplained burns to the hands.
- Reported30 Jul
3 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A petrol bomb was thrown at a prison officer's home in Co Meath, smashing a window.
- The incident is being investigated as criminal damage by fire.
- Where
- The attack happened at the officer's home in the Effernock area of Trim, Co Meath.
- When
- The incident occurred on Monday 29 July 2024, at around 11:30pm according to one report and around 5am according to another.
- Weapon
- A flammable device was thrown inside the home.
- Cause
- The Prison Officers Association said it had no doubt the attack related to the officer's work, which is believed to involve dealing with serious criminals.
- Gardaí are trying to establish whether the attack was linked to recent investigative work on prisoners, and sources say drug gangs in the prison system are targeting prison officers.
- Other details
- The officer and his wife were at home with at least one other family member, and the officer quickly extinguished the fire.
- No injuries were reported and the officer is said to be shaken by the incident.
- A vehicle was found alight at a nearby location in Maudlin Vale, and its driver had left the scene.
- Investigation
- Gardaí and the Irish Prison Service are investigating, and the scene was preserved and examined by officers.
- Gardaí are looking for a person who may have unexplained burns to the hands, and asked people in the area between 10:30pm and midnight to come forward if they saw unusual activity.
- Road users and pedestrians with camera or dash cam footage are asked to give it to gardaí.
- Charges
- No arrests or charges have been reported.
28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA petrol bomb was thrown at the property and smashed through a window. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA prison officer's home in Co Meath was targeted in a petrol bomb attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA window in the officer's home was broken. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCriminal damage by fire occurred at a premises in Meath. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA vehicle was found alight at a nearby location in Maudlin Vale and its driver had left the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack happened at the officer's home in the Co Meath area. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred in Trim, Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place in the Effernock area of Trim, Co Meath. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack happened at around 5am. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 11:30pm on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 11:30pm on Monday night. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe Prison Officers Association said it had no doubt the attack related to the officer's work. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe attack is believed to be linked to the officer's work dealing with serious criminals. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA flammable device was thrown inside the home. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are investigating the arson attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating the incident as criminal damage by fire. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigations by gardaí and the Irish Prison Service are underway. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are trying to establish whether the attack was linked to recent investigative work on prisoners. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe scene of the blaze was preserved and examined by officers. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are looking for a person who may have unexplained burns to the hands. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí asked people who were in the area between 10:30pm and midnight to come forward if they saw unusual activity. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationRoad users and pedestrians with camera or dash cam footage are asked to give it to gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe officer and his wife were at home when the attack happened. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe prison officer is said to be shaken by the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSources say drug gangs in the prison system are targeting prison officers. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe officer, who was at home with at least one other family member, quickly extinguished the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo injuries have been reported. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo injuries were reported at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Aug2024Gardai appeal for person with 'burns to the hands' after fire at Meath premises
First report of the incident. Adds the appeal for anyone with unexplained burns to the hands, the nearby burning vehicle in Maudlin Vale, and the appeal for camera footage.
- 30 Jul2024Prison officer’s home targeted in a petrol bomb attack believed linked to work with serious criminals
Adds that the home was targeted in a petrol bomb attack believed linked to the officer's work with serious criminals, that a window was broken and the fire was quickly extinguished, that the Irish Prison Service and gardaí are investigating, and gives reaction from the POA and the Minister for Justice.
victim, male - 30 Jul2024Gardai probe 'cowardly' petrol bomb attack at home of prison officer in Meath
Adds that a petrol bomb smashed through a window, that the officer and his wife were home, and the Prison Officers Association's statement linking the attack to his work. Gardaí have not reported any arrests.
victim, male