A SECOND arson attack on Blarney Garda station in Co Cork in eight months was widely condemned yesterday as “wanton vandalism”.
The main station was destroyed in a petrol bomb attack last October. The front door was smashed in and the culprits lit fires which caused substantial damage.
The alarm was raised by a security guard at Blarney Woollen Mills who contacted emergency services when he saw smoke coming from the building.
Since then, the town’s 16 gardaí have been operating from an office in the Garda district’s headquarters in Gurranebraher, 8km away.
The latest arson attack occurred at 5am yesterday. A Portakabin Garda facility which is due to open today incurred minor smoke damage.
One unit of Cork City Fire Service as well as a large number of gardaí attended the scene.
However, the fire is not expected to affect the opening of the temporary facility, which is to serve as a Garda station until the main facility is rebuilt.
Local Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burton said: “This attack absolutely reinforces the need to have a Garda station in the town.”
“In general Blarney is a peaceful place. But we do need a 24-hour Garda station. It is absolutely vital.”