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. 19617Criminal damage by fire · Co. Tipperary · 22 Sep 2023

Gardaí investigate fire at Thurles Library as criminal damage

A fire broke out at around midday on Friday 22 September 2023 in the basement of Thurles Library in Thurles, Co Tipperary, and Gardaí are investigating it as criminal damage by fire. Both the library and The Source Arts Centre were evacuated, no injuries were reported, and a member of staff spotted the fire. The library reopened the next day after ESB safety checks. In an article published on 4 October 2023, Gardaí said investigations were ongoing, and the car park remains closed for repairs. No arrest or charge has been reported.

  1. Reported4 Oct
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The fire caused considerable damage to the basement, bins, waterpipes and the front door to the car park.
Where
The fire broke out in the basement of Thurles Library in Thurles, Co Tipperary, though one report describes it as a fire at a car park in Thurles.
When
The fire broke out at around midday on Friday 22 September 2023.
Cause
Gardaí are investigating the fire as an act of criminal damage by fire.
Investigation
  • Gardaí and Emergency Services attended the scene.
  • Garda forensic teams examined the scene.
  • Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.
Charges
No arrest or charge has been reported.
Other details
  • Both the library and The Source Arts Centre were evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
  • A member of staff spotted the fire while in the basement.
  • The library and arts centre were closed for the rest of the day, and the planned Culture Night events were cancelled.
  • The library reopened on Saturday after safety checks by the ESB.
  • The car park remains closed for repairs.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA considerable amount of damage was done to the basement, bins and waterpipes, as well as the front door to the car park. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe fire broke out in the basement of Thurles Library in Thurles, Co Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe fire broke out at around midday on Friday, 22 September 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí and Emergency Services attended the scene of an incident of criminal damage by fire at a car park in Thurles. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationGarda forensic teams examined the scene. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said investigations are ongoing. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherBoth the library and The Source Arts Centre were evacuated, and no injuries were reported. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherA member of staff spotted the fire while in the basement. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe library and arts centre were closed for the rest of the day, and the planned Culture Night events were cancelled. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe library reopened the next day, Saturday, after safety checks by the ESB. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe car park remains closed for repairs. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Oct2023
    Reportedtipperarylive.ie, first report
    Gardaí are investigating a fire at a Tipperary library as criminal damage

    First report of the incident. Gardaí describe it as criminal damage by fire at a car park in Thurles, and the article gives details of the damage, evacuation and closures.