Ireland Suspected arson destroys former nursing home near Brittas, south Dublin
On Sunday 4 February 2024, the former Crooksling nursing home, also known as St Brigid's, near Brittas in south Dublin was destroyed by fire, which gardaí strongly suspect was deliberately set. Gardaí suspect the fire was set by people opposed to the building's possible use as asylum-seeker accommodation, though no decision on such use had been made. About 40 firefighters and seven engines took almost 12 hours to bring the blaze under control. In the latest report, dated 5 February 2024, investigators were expected to formally open an arson investigation led by a senior investigating officer based in Tallaght, and gardaí planned to examine social media postings of people present at the site before the fire. No arrests or charges are reported in the sources.
- Reported5 Feb
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The former Crooksling nursing home, also known as St Brigid's, was destroyed by fire.
- Where
- The building is in south Dublin near Brittas.
- When
- The building was destroyed by fire on Sunday, 4 February 2024.
- Cause
- Gardaí strongly suspect the building was set on fire deliberately by those opposed to its possible use as asylum-seeker accommodation.
- Other details
- No decision had been made to use the building as asylum-seeker accommodation.
- The building had been decommissioned as a nursing home in 2020 and its residents were transferred to a new facility in Tallaght.
- The nursing home had been subject to several anti-immigration protests and had a security guard hired to protect it before the fire.
- About 40 firefighters and seven engines took almost 12 hours to bring the blaze under control.
- Investigation
- Investigators are expected to formally open an arson investigation.
- The investigation is led by a senior investigating officer based in Tallaght Garda station.
- Gardaí plan to examine social media postings of some of those present at the site before the fire.
- A senior Garda source said the fires are likely individual copycat attacks by locals rather than the work of a single person or group.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe former Crooksling nursing home, also known as St Brigid's, is in south Dublin near Brittas. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe building was destroyed by fire on Sunday. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí strongly suspect the building was set on fire deliberately by those opposed to its possible use as asylum-seeker accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigators are expected to formally open an arson investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí plan to examine social media postings of some of those present at the site before the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation is led by a senior investigating officer based in Tallaght Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA senior Garda source said the fires are likely individual copycat attacks by locals rather than the work of a single person or group. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAbout 40 firefighters and seven engines took almost 12 hours to bring the blaze under control. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe building had been decommissioned as a nursing home in 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe nursing home had been subject to several anti-immigration protests and had a security guard hired to protect it before the fire. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo decision had been made to use the building as asylum-seeker accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Feb2024Gardaí to examine social media postings as part of south Dublin arson investigation
First report of the suspected arson at the former Crooksling nursing home, including the Garda suspicion of deliberate fire, the planned social media review, and the lead investigating officer.