Gardaí believe a weekend arson attack at the home of the Limerick State prosecutor is linked to a recent similar attack at the city's Circuit Court building.
Mr John O'Sullivan was not at his home in Farranshone, Limerick, when a petrol can was set alight and thrown into the kitchen on Sunday morning.
Gardaí said last night that the attack on the 45-year-old barrister's home was linked to last week's attempt to burn down Limerick's recently refurbished Circuit Court building. "We are investigating an arson attack at a house in Farranshone and, while we have to keep an open mind, it is more than likely that this incident is linked to an attempted arson attack at the courthouse last week," said a Garda source.
Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry in connection with both arson attacks and have also ruled out any link with a well-publicised ongoing feud in the city.
No major damage was caused to the courthouse building but a device found near an upstairs office caused some smoke damage.
Court sittings have not been disrupted since the attempted arson attack and yesterday Mr O'Sullivan appeared in court as normal following the weekend attack on his home. The kitchen at the rear of his house was seriously damaged in the blaze and there was some smoke damage.
A native of Kerry, Mr O'Sullivan has been Limerick State prosecutor for three years and has lived in the city for 12 years. He did wish to comment on the incident.
Yesterday, solicitor Mr Ted McCarthy, president of the Limerick Bar Association, condemned the attack. "It is outrageous that this has happened to my colleague. It is not going to affect the manner in which we approach our work but it is a most sinister development."