Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21070Criminal damage by fire (suspected arson) · Co. Cork · 16 May 2023

Gardaí investigate fire at Bennett's Mill in Ballinacurra, Co Cork

A fire broke out at about 9:40 pm on Tuesday 16 May 2023 at Bennett's Mill in Ballinacurra, Co Cork, an unoccupied historic building. Several units of the Cork County Fire Service extinguished the blaze, and locals have raised concern about a possible arson attack. Gardaí preserved the scene for a technical examination, and no suspect has been named. As of the report published on 17 May 2023, no arrest or charge has been reported and the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

  1. Reported17 May
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Flames were seen inside Bennett's Mill in Ballinacurra, Co Cork.
Where
The fire occurred at an unoccupied historic building in Ballinacurra, East Cork.
When
The fire broke out at about 9:40 pm on Tuesday 16 May 2023.
Cause
Locals are concerned about a possible arson attack, and the cause of the fire has not been determined.
Investigation
  • Gardaí preserved the scene for a technical examination.
  • An investigation is ongoing to determine what caused the fire.
Other details
  • Several units of the Cork County Fire Service attended and extinguished the blaze.
  • A similar fire at the mill in 2017 led to locals being evacuated and power lines being severed.
Charges
No suspect, arrest or charge has been reported.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFlames were seen inside Bennett's Mill in Ballinacurra. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe fire occurred at an unoccupied building in Ballinacurra, Co. Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe fire occurred at about 9:40 pm on Tuesday 16 May 2023. (corkbeo.ie)
  • causeLocals are concerned about a possible arson attack. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí preserved the scene for a technical examination. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationAn investigation is ongoing to determine what caused the fire. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherSeveral units from the Cork County Fire Service attended and extinguished the blaze. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe fire was extinguished by local fire services. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherA similar fire at the mill occurred in 2017, when locals had to be evacuated. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 May2023
    Reportedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Historic building sealed off by Gardaí as they investigate East Cork blaze

    Adds the location, time, Garda statement that the building was unoccupied and the scene was preserved, the fire service response, and local concern about possible arson. No suspect, arrest or charge is reported.