Church and Orange hall damaged in arson attacks
29 آب 2024 14:48
A Catholic church, an Orange hall and a Masonic hall have been damaged in arson attacks in the border village of St Johnston in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.
A man in his 20s was arrested on Wednesday night as Gardaí (Irish police) carried out searches in the area.
Detectives are trying to establish a motive for the attacks and if they were linked.
The historic buildings which were targeted include St Baithin's Catholic church, on Chapel Road, which was built in the 1850s.
Scorch damaged was caused to the Orange hall, on Main Street, which dates back to the early 19th century.
The Masonic hall, on Derry Road, was also damaged by fire.
It was rebuilt after burning down in the 1970s.
Police erected cordons at all three buildings on Thursday morning as their investigations continued.
St Johnston has a population of about 600 people and is situated on Lough Foyle about three miles from the border with Northern Ireland.
A man in his 20s was arrested on Wednesday night as Gardaí (Irish police) carried out searches in the area.
Detectives are trying to establish a motive for the attacks and if they were linked.
The historic buildings which were targeted include St Baithin's Catholic church, on Chapel Road, which was built in the 1850s.
Scorch damaged was caused to the Orange hall, on Main Street, which dates back to the early 19th century.
The Masonic hall, on Derry Road, was also damaged by fire.
It was rebuilt after burning down in the 1970s.
Police erected cordons at all three buildings on Thursday morning as their investigations continued.
St Johnston has a population of about 600 people and is situated on Lough Foyle about three miles from the border with Northern Ireland.