Friday 30 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. 13904Fire (possible arson, under investigation) · Co. Donegal · 21 Apr 2025

Gardaí to use drone to assess fire-damaged Derrybeg church

A fire gutted St Mary's Church, a 53-year-old church in Derrybeg, Co Donegal, in the early hours of Easter Monday, 21 April 2025. Seven units of Donegal Fire Service firefighters battled the blaze, first reported at about 4am, and several nearby properties were evacuated while the flames were brought under control, with no injuries reported. A structural engineers' assessment on Tuesday 22 April found the remains too unsafe for a Garda technical team to enter, and it is unclear whether the fire was started maliciously. As of 23 April 2025, no suspect has been arrested or charged, and gardaí planned to use a drone to assess the charred remains while the scene is preserved and a fence is erected around the perimeter.

  1. Reported23 Apr
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • St Mary's Church in Derrybeg, a 53-year-old church, was gutted by fire.
  • Seven units of Donegal Fire Service firefighters battled the blaze.
Where
The church is in Derrybeg, Co Donegal.
When
The fire broke out in the early hours of Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, and was first reported at about 4am.
Cause
It is unclear whether the fire was started maliciously, and its source has not yet been established.
Other details
  • Several nearby properties were evacuated while the flames were brought under control.
  • No injuries were reported from the fire.
  • A fence will be erected around the perimeter to secure the site.
Investigation
  • Gardaí and other agencies are investigating the fire.
  • A structural engineers' assessment on Tuesday found the remains too unsafe for a Garda technical team to enter in person.
  • Gardaí planned to use a drone to assess the charred remains and determine the possible cause.
  • The scene is being preserved for technical examination.
Charges
No suspect has been arrested or charged as of 23 April 2025.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSt Mary's Church in Derrybeg was gutted by fire. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatSeven units of Donegal Fire Service firefighters battled the fire, first reported at about 4am. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe remains are considered too unsafe for a Garda technical team to enter in person. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe fire destroyed St Mary's Church in Derrybeg, Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe fire happened on Easter Monday, in the early hours. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeIt is unclear whether the fire was started maliciously. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí and other agencies are investigating the fire and have not yet established its source. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí planned to use a drone to assess the charred remains and determine the possible cause. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe scene is being preserved for technical examination. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherSeveral nearby properties were evacuated while the flames were brought under control. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherNo injuries were reported from the fire. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA fence will be erected around the perimeter to secure the site. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Apr2025
    Reporteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Garda drone to analyse burnt remains of Derrybeg church

    Describes the fire, the garda drone assessment, and the scene security measures. No suspect, arrest or charge is reported.