Ireland Kildare fire crew assault and criminal damage under investigation
On the night of 30 October 2026, a group threw stones, rocks and other projectiles at a Kildare Fire Service vehicle while it was attending a fire in a housing estate in The Plains area, Kildare Town. One staff member was injured and a window on the appliance was shattered, forcing the engine out of service for repairs. Gardaí responded to a call at approximately 7.20 pm, arriving after the Fire Service had already left the scene. An Garda Síochána is aware of the incident and enquiries are ongoing, with Kildare Fire Service to co-operate fully with any investigation. No arrests or charges have been reported.
- Reported31 Oct
5 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A group threw stones, rocks and other projectiles at a Kildare Fire Service vehicle while it was attending a fire in a housing estate.
- One staff member was injured and a window on the appliance was shattered.
- Where
- The incident took place in The Plains area, Kildare Town.
- When
- The incident occurred at approximately 7.45 pm on Friday 30 October 2026, with Gardaí responding to a call at 7.20 pm.
- Weapon
- Stones, rocks and other projectiles were thrown at the vehicle.
- Investigation
- An Garda Síochána is aware of the incident and enquiries are ongoing; Kildare Fire Service will co-operate fully with any investigation.
- Other details
- The damaged appliance was taken out of service for repairs and has since been repaired.
- The driver remained on duty for the remainder of the evening.
- Sinn Féin TD Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh condemned the attack.
- Chief Fire Officer Niall O'Riordan said firefighters have been used as target practice in recent times with stones thrown towards them and fire engines.
36 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Kildare fire crew was attacked with stones, rocks and other projectiles on Friday night. (thejournal.ie)
- whatOne member of staff was injured in the attack. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA fire appliance sustained damage including a smashed window. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA violent attack on first responders left one firefighter injured. (extra.ie)
- whatAn emergency engine was taken out of service. (extra.ie)
- whatA group threw stones, rocks and other projectiles at the vehicle. (extra.ie)
- whatA window on the vehicle was shattered. (extra.ie)
- whatA staff member was injured in the attack. (extra.ie)
- whatFire crews were attending a fire in a housing estate when rocks and objects were thrown at their vehicle. (kildarenow.com)
- whatA Kildare Fire Brigade truck was attacked (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe truck was attending to a call out at the time of the attack (kildarenow.com)
- whatFirefighters were injured in the attack (kildarenow.com)
- whatA member of Kildare Fire Service had stones and rocks thrown at them during a reckless attack (kildarenow.com)
- whatA fire truck was targeted in the attack and had its windows smashed (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe incident took place at a housing development in Kildare Town. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe Garda response was to an incident in The Plains area. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe attack took place in Kildare Town (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe incident occurred at approximately 7.45 pm on Friday 30 October 2026. (kildarenow.com)
- whenGardaí in County Kildare responded to a call for assistance from Kildare Fire Service at 7.20 pm on Friday 30 October. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on the night of 30 October 2026 (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on the Friday before Halloween, 30 October 2026 (kildarenow.com)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána is aware of the incident and Kildare Fire Service will co-operate fully with any investigation. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationEnquiries in relation to the matter are ongoing. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe damaged appliance would have to be taken out of service for repairs. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDublin Fire Brigade expected hundreds of calls on Halloween night due to bonfires and fireworks. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDolphins Barn firefighters were called to a car driven into a bonfire on Friday. (thejournal.ie)
- otherLast Halloween, Dublin Fire Brigade received more than 200 fire-related calls before 8pm. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKildare Fire Services are appealing to the public for respect. (extra.ie)
- otherThe driver remained on duty for the remainder of the evening. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe fire appliance has since been repaired. (kildarenow.com)
- otherUpon arrival at the scene, the Fire Service were no longer on-site. (kildarenow.com)
- otherKildare Fire Service attended approximately 35 Halloween-related incidents on the evening of 31 October 2026. (kildarenow.com)
- otherSinn Féin TD Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh condemned the attack (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe damage to the fire appliance means it will need to come out of service for repairs (kildarenow.com)
- otherKildare Fire Service issued a statement on social media about the attack (kildarenow.com)
- otherChief Fire Officer Niall O'Riordan said firefighters have been used as target practice in recent times with stones thrown towards them and fire engines (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Nov2026Kildare firefighter had rocks thrown at them during a reckless attack on a fire truck
First report of the incident. Kildare Fire Service issued a social media statement and Chief Fire Officer Niall O'Riordan commented on KFM about firefighters being targeted with stones in recent times. No arrests or suspects identified.
victim - 3 Nov2026Halloween attack on Kildare Fire Brigade truck condemned
Political condemnation of the attack by Sinn Féin TD; no arrests or charges reported.
victim - 3 Nov2026Kildare County Council calls out antisocial behaviour towards fire service crews
Kildare County Council statement and Garda statement add the specific time (7.20pm/7.45pm), confirm the location as The Plains area, note the driver remained on duty and the appliance was repaired, and state that Gardaí arrived after the Fire Service had already left the scene.
victim - 1 Nov2026Firefighter injured and engine out of service after Halloween attack
Kildare Fire Services issue a public appeal for respect following the attack on their crew.
victimsuspect - 31 Oct2026Kildare fire crew attacked as public urged to behave responsibly this Halloween
Reports the attack on a Kildare fire crew on Friday night, the staff injury, the appliance damage and the fire service's Halloween appeal. No suspect, arrest or garda investigation is mentioned.
victim
Changed after publication
facts outlets added, removed or correctedkildarenow.com, 4 Nov 2026, 16:39: Kildare County Council calls out antisocial behaviour towards fire service crews
- CorrectedThe name of the publication that asked the AGS spokesperson was changed (was the Leinster Leader, now the Leader)
thejournal.ie, 1 Nov 2026, 11:47: Kildare fire crew attacked as public urged to behave responsibly this Halloween
- CorrectedThe location of the collision was specified as Dublin city centre rather than just city centre (was Man (20s) in critical condition following collision in city centre, now Man (20s) in critical condition following collision in Dublin city centre)