Thursday 29 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. 7672Criminal damage by fire · Co. Dublin · 14 Aug 2023

Gardaí investigate suspected arson at vacant Ballybrack building

Shortly before 8.20pm on Monday 14 August 2023, a suspected criminal damage by fire took place at a vacant building on Shanganagh Road in Ballybrack, County Dublin, and Dublin Fire Brigade extinguished the blaze by 10pm. The building had been vandalised in July, and anti-immigrant protesters believed it was earmarked for refugees, though its owners had a rental agreement with a private third party. Gardaí arrested a man in his 20s as part of the ongoing investigation, and no name or nationality is given in the sources. The latest development is that the man was due to appear before Dún Laoghaire District Court on 8 April 2024, and no outcome of that appearance is reported.

  1. Reported15 Aug
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí investigated a suspected criminal damage by fire at a vacant building.
Where
The vacant building is on Shanganagh Road in Ballybrack, County Dublin; the Irish Times calls it a house and names it Ridge Hall.
When
The fire occurred shortly before 8.20pm on Monday 14 August 2023, and Dublin Fire Brigade was alerted at 8.23pm.
Cause
Gardaí described the incident as a suspected criminal damage by fire, and the Irish Times reported it as a suspected arson attack.
Investigation
  • Gardaí arrested a man in his 20s as part of their investigations.
  • Gardaí appealed for anyone with information to contact Shankill Garda station, the Garda Confidential Line or any garda station.
  • The scene was preserved for technical examination and investigations are ongoing.
Charges
No charge against the man is reported in the sources.
In court
The man is due to appear before Dún Laoghaire District Court on Monday 8 April 2024 at 10.30am.
Sentence
No outcome of the court appearance is reported.
Other details
  • The building was previously targeted by vandals who smashed its windows in July.
  • Three fire brigade units attended, and the blaze was extinguished at 10pm.
  • Anti-immigrant protesters believed the building was being earmarked for refugees.
  • The owners of the property had an existing rental agreement with a private third party.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí investigated a suspected criminal damage by fire incident. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at a vacant building on the Shanganagh Road in Ballybrack, Dublin. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe fire was at a vacant building on Shanganagh Road in Ballybrack, County Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on Monday 14 August 2023. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe fire occurred shortly before 8.20pm on Monday 14 August 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenDublin Fire Brigade was alerted to the fire at 8.23pm on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGardaí described the incident as a suspected criminal damage by fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested a male as part of their investigations. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating a suspected arson attack on the house. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí appealed for anyone with information to contact Shankill Garda station, the Garda Confidential Line or any garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before Dún Laoghaire District Court on 8 April 2024. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe building was previously targeted by vandals who smashed its windows in July. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThree fire brigade units attended and the blaze was extinguished at 10pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAnti-immigrant protesters believe the building is being earmarked for refugees. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe owners of the property have an existing rental agreement with a private third party, so it was not being progressed as refugee accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe scene was preserved for technical examination. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Aug2023
    Reportedirishtimes.com, first report
    Gardaí investigating suspected arson attack at Ballybrack property

    First report of the fire, with Garda and Dublin Fire Brigade details. Adds the context that the building was previously vandalised, that protesters believed it was earmarked for refugees, and that its owners had a rental agreement with a private third party.

  2. 14 Aug2023
    In courtgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance - Ballybrack Criminal Damage Incident by Fire, Dublin - 14th August 2023

    Garda notice of a court appearance dated 8 April 2024. It gives the arrest and the court date for a man in his 20s, but no court outcome.

    suspect, 20s, male