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. 19504Arson · Co. Offaly · 5 Oct 2023

Gardaí suspect arson after fire at derelict house in Shinrone, Co Offaly

Gardaí were called at 5.15am on Thursday 5 October 2023 to a fire at a derelict house on the main street in Shinrone, Co Offaly. When they arrived the fire was confined to an upstairs room, and the fire brigade put it out before it spread further, leaving the house with some structural damage. Crime Scene Examiners attended, and gardaí believe the fire was criminal damage or arson. No suspect, victim or arrest has been reported, and the latest development is a Garda appeal to anyone who saw suspicious activity on the day or in the days before to contact Birr Garda Station.

  1. Reported10 Oct
    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 broke out at a derelict house in Shinrone, Co Offaly.
  • When gardaí arrived, the fire was confined to an upstairs room.
Where
The derelict house is on the village's main street in Shinrone.
When
Gardaí were called at 5.15am on Thursday 5 October 2023.
Other details
  • The fire brigade attended and put the fire out before it spread beyond the upstairs room.
  • The house suffered some structural damage.
  • No suspect, victim or arrest has been reported.
  • Reports of the fire were published on 10 or 11 October 2023 and on 13 or 15 October 2023, according to differing source dates.
Investigation
  • Crime Scene Examiners attended the scene.
  • Gardaí appealed to anyone who saw suspicious activity on the day or in the days before to contact Birr Garda Station.
Cause
Gardaí believe the fire was an act of criminal damage or arson.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWhen gardaí arrived, the fire was contained to an upstairs room. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe derelict house is on the village's main street in Shinrone. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe fire was at a derelict house in Shinrone. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenGardaí were called at 5.15am on Thursday 5 October. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe fire was reported on Thursday, 5 October 2023, at 5.15am. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationCrime Scene Examiners attended the scene. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí believe the fire was an act of criminal damage or arson. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí appealed to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on the day or in the days before. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí appealed to anyone who saw suspicious activity on the day or in the days before to contact Birr Garda Station. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe fire brigade attended and put the fire out before it spread beyond the upstairs room. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe house suffered some structural damage. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí were called to the house on the village's main street. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe fire brigade attended and put out the fire before it spread beyond the upstairs room. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Oct2023
    Reportedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Gardai suspect arson after fire at derelict house in Offaly

    Original report of a suspected arson fire at a derelict house in Shinrone. Gardaí are appealing for information about suspicious activity. No suspect, victim or arrest is reported.

  2. 10 Oct2023
    Reportedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí suspect act of arson in derelict Shinrone house

    Adds that the fire was confined to an upstairs room, the fire brigade put it out, the house suffered some structural damage, Crime Scene Examiners attended, gardaí believe it was criminal damage or arson, and an appeal was made to contact Birr Garda Station. No suspect or arrest is reported.