Sunday 1 November 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. 21672Criminal damage (fire/possible arson) · Co. Cork · 18 Mar 2023

Gardaí investigating criminal damage by fire at former convent in Dunmanway

A major fire broke out at the former Daughters of Charity Convent building, which also housed the old secondary school, in Dunmanway, West Cork, on 18 March 2023. The blaze, believed to have started in the old school dormitory, was extinguished by firefighters from Dunmanway, Bandon and Clonakilty shortly after the alarm was raised at around 6:45 pm. No injuries were reported. Gardaí are investigating the incident as criminal damage by fire, with no arrests made and enquiries ongoing.

  1. Reported19 Mar
  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 major fire broke out at the former Daughters of Charity Convent building in Dunmanway, which was also the site of the old secondary school.
When
The alarm was raised at approximately 6:45 pm on Saturday, 18 March 2023.
Where
The incident occurred at the former convent and secondary school site in Dunmanway, West Cork.
Cause
The fire is believed to have started in the old school dormitory.
Investigation
  • Firefighters from Dunmanway, Bandon and Clonakilty attended the scene and extinguished the fire a short time later.
  • Gardaí are investigating the incident as criminal damage by fire.
  • No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
Other details
No injuries were reported.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA major blaze occurred at the former Daughters of Charity Convent building in Dunmanway (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe former convent building was also the site of the old secondary school (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe fire was extinguished by fire services a short time later (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatNo injuries were reported (corkbeo.ie)
  • causeThe fire is believed to have started in the old school dormitory (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationFirefighters from Dunmanway, Bandon and Clonakilty attended the scene (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating criminal damage by fire at the premises in Dunmanway (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationNo arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Mar2023
    Reportedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Gardai investigating possible arson at old convent site in West Cork town

    Initial report of the fire and Gardaí investigation into possible arson at the former convent and secondary school site in Dunmanway.