Suspected arson at Kilkenny site used by Enable Ireland

Gardaí are investigating a suspected arson attack early this morning at a building used to provide services for children with additional needs in Kilkenny city.

The incident happened shortly before 3am when a small fire broke out in an old room at the back of the O’Neill Centre in Kilkenny city, used by Enable Ireland for day services.

There was nobody in the building at the time and the fire itself was limited to that room along with some further smoke damage.

The local fire service was called to the scene and managed to extinguish the fire, after it had been smouldering for some time.

Gardaí are investigating the incident which it is believed may have been started using an aerosol can which was set alight and placed or thrown near a wooden doorframe at the room in question.

The building, located on St Joseph’s Road in The Butts area of Kilkenny, is a former school building and was repurposed for use by Enable Ireland several years ago.

Along with other properties in the area, it is used for day services and outreach services for hundreds of children from around Kilkenny.