Case No. 0702Arson, criminal damage · Co. Dublin · 1 Jul 2026
Iranian man charged over arson attack on Talbot Street mosque, Dublin
A suspected arson attack was carried out at the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street, Dublin 1, on 29 June 2026, when a man allegedly poured petrol on the front door and set it alight, causing extensive damage to the outside facade. Saeid Khosroabadi, a 41-year-old Iranian national of Seville Place, Dublin 1, was arrested at his flat and charged with committing arson and causing criminal damage at the mosque. He appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on 1 July 2026, where bail was denied and he was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 8 July. The judge sent the case to the Circuit Court, directing the DPP to prepare a book of evidence. No injuries were reported, though a number of people including several children were inside the mosque when the fire started.
- Reported29 Jun
- Arrested29 Jun
3 reports - Charged30 Jun
6 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A suspected arson attack occurred at the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall (Faizan E Madinah Mosque) on Talbot Street, Dublin 1, with witnesses and CCTV reporting a male poured an accelerant on the front door and set it alight, causing extensive damage to the outside facade.
- Where
- The fire was at the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall / Faizan E Madinah Mosque on Talbot Street, Dublin 1, in the north inner city.
- When
- The fire broke out at approximately 3:35pm on Monday 29 June 2026, though some sources place it just before 3:30pm or shortly after 3:40pm.
- Cause
- The fire is understood to have been caused by a suspected arson attack; the accused allegedly filled a litre bottle with petrol at a local garage and poured it on the front door.
- Investigation
- A man in his 40s was arrested at his flat and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Dublin North City Garda Station; Gardaí appealed for witnesses and dash-cam footage from Talbot Street between 3:00pm and 4:00pm on 29 June 2026.
- Charges
- Saeid Khosroabadi, 41, an Iranian national of Seville Place, Dublin 1, was charged with committing arson and causing criminal damage at the mosque, an offence punishable by a 10-year sentence on conviction.
- In court
- On 1 July 2026, Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court denied bail, remanded Khosroabadi in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 8 July, and sent the case to the Circuit Court with a book of evidence to be prepared by the DPP.
- Other details
- No injuries were reported; a full evacuation of the building took place; four fire engines and over 20 firefighters and paramedics attended; Luas Green Line services between St Stephen's Green and Dominick were disrupted.
- Khosroabadi, a self-described anti-Islam activist, allegedly told gardaí he was proud of what he had done, was disappointed the mosque had not burned down, called those inside dirty people, said he did not care if children died in the fire, was opposed to sharia law in Ireland, and claimed he was drunk that day.
99 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA suspected arson attack occurred at an Islamic prayer hall in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe incident is described as criminal damage by fire at a premises on Talbot Street, Dublin 1. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCriminal damage by fire occurred at a premises on Talbot Street, Dublin 1. (garda.ie)
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested and charged in connection with the incident (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA fire broke out at the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street, Dublin 1 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested and questioned by Gardaí following the blaze (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSaeid Khosroabadi is 41 years old and lives at Seville Place, Dublin 1 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe is an Iranian national (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatHe stated several times that he was proud of what he had done (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was disappointed that the mosque had not burned down (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe repeatedly referred to those inside the mosque as dirty people (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHis reply to the charge was that he tried to set a mosque on fire (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused is Saeid Khosroabadi, 41, of Seville Place, Dublin 1 (dublinlive.ie)
- whatHe allegedly filled a litre bottle with petrol at a local garage (dublinlive.ie)
- whatWitnesses reported a male poured an accelerant on the front door of the mosque and set it alight (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA witness heard the male shout that he would finish and fire the mosque (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe fire rose up the front doorway on the outside facade, causing extensive damage (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA number of people including several children were inside the mosque when the fire started (dublinlive.ie)
- whatHe replied to the charge that he tried to set a mosque on fire (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe blaze occurred at Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street, Dublin 1. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe fire broke out at the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street, Dublin 1. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe fire occurred at Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street, Dublin 1 (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe fire was at the doorway of the Faizan E Madinah Mosque on Talbot Street in the north inner city (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHe lives at Seville Place, Dublin 1 (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fire was at the Faizan E Madinah Mosque on Talbot Street in the north inner city (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe fire was reported shortly after 1540 hours on Monday 29 June 2026. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out at Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street at approximately 3:35pm on 29 June 2026 (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out at the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street shortly after 3.40pm on Monday, 29 June. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out shortly after 3.40pm on Monday, 29 June 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on the afternoon of Monday 29 June 2026 at approximately 3.35pm. (garda.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out at around 3:35pm on Monday 29 June 2026 (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe fire occurred shortly after 3.40pm on Monday 29 June 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí stated the fire occurred at approximately 3.35pm on the afternoon of Monday 29 June (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe fire occurred just before 3.30pm (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe fire started just before 3.30pm (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fire occurred just before 3.30 pm on 1 July 2026 (dublinlive.ie)
- causeThe fire is understood to have broken out following a suspected arson attack on the premises. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe cause of the fire will be determined by Gardaí following their investigation. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is detained at a Garda Station in the Dublin North City area under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage from Talbot Street Dublin 1 between 3:00pm and 4:00pm on 29 June 2026 (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA man was arrested following a suspected arson attack on an Islamic prayer hall in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a premises on Talbot Street, Dublin 1, on 29 June 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA male aged in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man is detained at a Garda Station in the Dublin North City area under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with video footage in the area of Talbot Street, Dublin 1, between 3.00pm and 4.00pm on 29 June 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí continue to investigate all the circumstances around the incident. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationCCTV from the Store Street Media Unit showed a male pouring accelerant onto the door (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested the accused at his flat (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe incident is classified as criminal damage by fire at a premises on Talbot Street Dublin 1 (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe arrested male has since been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe man was charged in connection with the incident (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeGardaí described the incident as criminal damage by fire at a premises on Talbot Street Dublin 1 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with committing arson and causing criminal damage at the mosque (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe offence on conviction is punishable by a 10-year sentence (dublinlive.ie)
- courtHe is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ 1) on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at approximately 10.30am. (garda.ie)
- courtThe suspect was expected to appear before CCJ 1 on 1 July 2026 at approximately 10.30am (dublinlive.ie)
- courtHe was due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ 1) on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at approximately 10.30am (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Michele Finan denied bail at Dublin District Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe had no legal representation due to the current industrial action by solicitors (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSolicitor Tracy Horan told the judge she had acted for the accused before but could not represent him now (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSome 60 solicitors were present in the courtroom in support and walked out (irishmirror.ie)
- courtGarda Costello objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence and his belief the accused would attack the mosque again (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 8 July (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe judge refused jurisdiction to retain the case, sending it to the Circuit Court (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe judge directed preparation of a book of evidence by the DPP (irishtimes.com)
- courtBail was denied by Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceThe offence is punishable by a 10-year sentence on conviction (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherFour fire engines and 20 firefighters/paramedics attended the scene alongside gardaí. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherNo injuries were reported at the time of the report. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherA full evacuation of the premises took place. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherA security man working beside the premises saw the fire being started and tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherTraffic restrictions were in place at the scene but have since been lifted. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherNo injuries have been reported (dublinlive.ie)
- otherFour fire engines, a turntable ladder carrying over 20 firefighter/paramedics, and a district officer were dispatched to the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA full evacuation of the building took place as firefighters tackled the blaze. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNo injuries were reported following the fire. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLuas Green Line services between St Stephen's Green and Dominick were shut for a period due to the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFour fire engines, a turntable ladder carrying over 20 firefighters and paramedics, and a district officer were dispatched to the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA full evacuation of the building took place. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNo injuries were reported. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLuas Green Line services between St Stephen's Green and Dominick were shut for a period. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA male in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie)
- otherOver 20 firefighters and four engines responded after thick smoke engulfed the street (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe mosque premises were safely evacuated (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe nearby Department of Education offices on Marlborough Street were cleared as a precaution (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe fire resulted in substantial traffic disruption (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKhosroabadi is a self-described anti-Islam activist (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe told gardaí he was opposed to sharia law in Ireland (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe did not care if children died in the fire (irishtimes.com)
- otherMore than 20 firefighters, four engines and gardaí responded to the fire (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo injuries were reported but the fire caused substantial traffic disruption (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- otherHe had no legal representation due to the solicitors' industrial action (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe claimed he was drunk that day (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe filled a litre bottle with petrol at a local garage (irishtimes.com)
- otherWitnesses reported a male poured an accelerant on the front door and set it alight (irishtimes.com)
- otherA number of people including several children were present inside the mosque at the time (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe said Ireland was a Christian country (irishtimes.com)
- otherOver 20 firefighters, four engines, and gardaí responded (dublinlive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Jul2026'Anti-Islam activist' charged over alleged Dublin mosque attack
First report; bail denied, remanded to Cloverhill District Court 8 July 2026; case sent to Circuit Court; accused represented himself due to solicitors' industrial action over legal aid fee changes.
accused, Saeid Khosroabadi, 41, male, Iranian, named, non-irishSaeid Khosroabadi - 1 Jul2026Self-described anti-Islam activist did not care if children died in Dublin mosque attack, court hears
Provides detailed account of the bail hearing including Khosroabadi's statements to gardaí, witness testimony about the fire, the judge's decision to remand him and send the case to Circuit Court, and the impact of the solicitors' industrial action on his legal representation.
suspect, Saeid Khosroabadi, 41, male, Iranian, named, non-irishSaeid Khosroabadi - 1 Jul2026'Anti-Islam activist' charged over alleged Dublin mosque attack
Provides detailed court evidence including the accused's statements to gardaí, CCTV and witness testimony, the bail hearing, the solicitors' industrial action affecting representation, and Judge Finan's decision to remand and send the case to Circuit Court.
suspect, Saeid Khosroabadi, 41, male, Iranian, named, non-irishSaeid Khosroabadi - 30 Jun2026Man charged in connection with suspected arson attack on Islamic prayer hall
Reports the initial arrest and charging following the fire; identifies the building as Al-Madinah Prayer Hall and gives the fire time as shortly after 3.40pm on 29 June 2026, with the court appearance scheduled for 1 July at CCJ 1.
suspect, 40s, male - 30 Jun2026Man charged in connection with suspected arson attack on Islamic prayer hall
Reports the initial charging and provides details of the fire response (four fire engines, 20 firefighters/paramedics) and the scheduled court appearance at CCJ 1 on 1 July 2026.
suspect, 40s, male - 30 Jun202630/06/2026 Update: Court Appearance - Criminal Damage by Fire - Talbot Street, Dublin 1, 29th June 2026
Confirms the suspect has been charged and provides the court appearance details: CCJ 1, Wednesday 1 July 2026 at approximately 10.30am. States the incident occurred at approximately 3.35pm on 29 June 2026.
suspect, 40s, male - 30 Jun2026Man, 40s, arrested following suspected arson attack on Islamic prayer hall
Initial report of the arrest and Gardaí witness appeal following the suspected arson attack on the prayer hall.
suspect, 40s, male - 29 Jun2026Gardaí investigating suspected arson attack on Dublin Islamic prayer hall
Reports the initial arrest and Gardaí investigation into the suspected arson attack on 29 June 2026. This is a separate incident from the 1 July 2026 arson at the same location (case 702).
suspect, male - 29 Jun2026Man arrested in connection with suspected arson attack on Islamic prayer hall
Adds that four fire engines and 20 firefighters/paramedics attended, the suspect is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Dublin North City Garda Station, and the witness appeal window is 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
suspect, 40s, male - 29 Jun2026Gardaí confirm probe into suspected arson attack on Islamic prayer hall
Initial Gardaí confirmation of the investigation into the suspected arson, with details of the fire response, a witness account from a security man, and confirmation that no injuries were reported.