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. 20727Criminal damage by fire (suspected arson) · Co. Clare · 8 Jun 2023

Gardaí investigate suspected arson fire at 12 O'Clock Hills, Co Clare

A fire burned for over seven hours on the 12 O'Clock Hills in east Clare, and Shannon fire services arrived at around 5:35pm on Thursday 8 June 2023. Gardaí suspect arson after copper wiring and insulation were found, and they opened an investigation with indications of malicious intent. No injuries were reported, and two residents were evacuated as a precaution. In the 13 June 2023 report, no arrest or charge had been reported, the scene had been handed over to Coillte, and the walking trail remained closed until further notice.

  1. Reported13 Jun
  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 burned for over seven hours.
Where
  • The fire was in the 12 O'Clock Hills in east Clare, which is also called Knockanuarha.
  • The headline refers to Limerick, but the article places the fire in east Clare.
  • Knockanuarha is about 5km southeast of Kilkishen village.
When
Shannon fire services arrived at around 5:35pm on Thursday 8 June 2023.
Cause
Gardaí suspect arson because copper wiring and insulation were found.
Investigation
Gardaí launched an investigation with indications of malicious intent into what is believed to be criminal damage.
Charges
The articles report no arrest or charge.
Other details
  • No injuries were reported.
  • Two residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution after 8pm.
  • The popular walking trail was closed to the public until further notice.
  • The scene was handed over to Coillte.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe fire burned for over seven hours. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe fire blazed in the 12 O'Clock Hills in east Clare. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe hill Knockanuarha, also known as the 12 O'Clock Hills, is about 5km southeast of Kilkishen village. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenShannon fire services arrived at around 5:35pm on the Thursday before the report. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeGardaí suspect arson because copper wiring and insulation were found. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched an investigation into the fire with indications of malicious intent. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations have been launched into what is believed to be criminal damage. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherNo injuries were reported. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherTwo residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution after 8pm. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe popular walking trail of the 12 O'Clock Hills was closed to the public until further notice. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe scene was handed over to Coillte. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Jun2023
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Gardaí investigating suspected arson attack at beauty spot, popular with Limerick walkers

    First report of this incident. The headline refers to Limerick, but the article places the fire in east Clare. It gives the arson suspicion, the closure of the walking trail and the handover of the scene to Coillte.