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. 21124Criminal damage by fire (suspected arson) · Co. Laois · 4 May 2023

Gardaí investigate fire at Paddock National School near Mountrath, Laois

A fire broke out at Paddock National School near Mountrath, Co Laois, at about 2am on Thursday 4 May 2023, and serious damage was done to one classroom. Gardaí said the fire may have been started deliberately, but they also said arson could not be confirmed, and they launched an investigation with door-to-door enquiries. The school closed after the fire and reopened on 9 May following a three-day closure. No arrest or charge has been reported, and the school's reopening on 9 May is the latest development.

  1. Reported8 May
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A fire at Paddock National School, near Mountrath, Co Laois, damaged one of the school's classrooms.
  • One report describes the classroom as seriously damaged, and another describes it as completely destroyed.
Where
The fire appears to have started outside the school.
When
  • The fire was reported at about 2am on Thursday 4 May 2023.
  • The school alarm sounded at 1.45am.
  • The school reopened on 9 May after a three-day closure.
Cause
The fire may have been started deliberately, but Gardaí say arson cannot be confirmed.
Investigation
Gardaí attended on the night, launched an investigation, and carried out door-to-door enquiries.
Other details
  • Fire crews from Mountrath and Mountmellick attended and worked to put out the fire.
  • A local person used a fire extinguisher kept outside the school until fire crews arrived.
  • The school, which teaches about 75 pupils, closed following the fire.
  • The principal, Bernadette Fitzpatrick, thanked Gardaí and the fire service for their quick response.
  • The bins are missing.
Charges
No arrest or charge has been reported.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSerious damage was done to one of the school's classrooms. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatA fire at a school in the Midlands left one classroom completely destroyed. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatOne classroom was completely destroyed. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe fire was at Paddock National School, near Mountrath, Co Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe school is near Mountrath. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe fire appears to have started outside the school. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe fire was reported at about 2am on Thursday 4 May 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe fire broke out early on Thursday morning, May 4. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe fire may have been started deliberately. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe fire is under investigation on suspicion of being deliberately started. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are carrying out door-to-door enquiries and have launched an investigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí attended the fire on the night and launched an investigation, including door-to-door calls. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí say a crime of arson cannot be confirmed. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe school closed following the fire. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe principal thanked Gardaí and the fire service for their quick response. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe school alarm sounded at 1.45am. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherA local person used a fire extinguisher kept outside the school until fire crews arrived. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe bins are missing. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe school reopened on 9 May after a three-day closure. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 May2023
    Reportedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Gardai investigating fire at school in the Midlands that left one classroom 'completely destroyed'

    Reports the fire at Paddock National School, its impact on the classroom and school, the garda investigation and the school's reopening on 9 May.

  2. 8 May2023
    Reportedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Fire at Laois school under Garda investigation

    Adds that serious damage was done to one classroom in the school, which teaches about 75 pupils, that Gardaí are carrying out door-to-door enquiries, that the school closed after the fire, and that the principal thanked Gardaí and the fire service. Gardaí say arson cannot be confirmed.