LAST UPDATE | 5 Jul 2020

GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING a fire at a house in Dundalk in the early hours of this morning. 

The house, in Clontygora Court, caught fire at around 3.35am. Residents in the area reported hearing a loud bang before the building caught alight. 

Local politicians have said that the fire is a suspected arson attack. 

The five people who were in the house were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Their injures have been described as non-life threatening. 

Local fire services put out the fire and no one else was injured. However, the house has been seriously damaged. 

The scene is currently being preserved for a technical examination by gardaí and an investigation is underway. 

Louth TD, Sinn Féin’s Ruairí Ó Murchú, called it an “appalling attack on a family home where there were children sleeping”. 

Ó Murchú issued a joint statement alongside local councillor Kevin Meenan. 

They said that at least one adult suffered broken bones after jumping from a first-floor window to safety. 

“This is the latest in a long line of attacks on this house and we understand that the origin of this may be linked to a drugs debt,” they said.

“This property has been the subject of attempted arson attacks in the recent past, which have clearly escalated to the point where five people, including children, were treated in hospital.”

“We repeat our calls for those involved in this senseless criminality to stop. It is understood that numerous threats have been traded, using social media.”

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward. Anyone travelling in the Clontygara Court and Hoey’s Lane areas between 3am and 4am who might have camera or dash cam footage are being asked to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.