GARDAÍ are tonight investigating a suspected arson attack at a house in Limerick City where a convicted criminal was found dead last week.
The house, at Sarsfield Avenue in Garryowen, was extensively damaged in the blaze, which occurred shortly before 5pm this evening.
The house was unoccupied and no injuries were reported, however a neighbouring property was believed to have been damaged by smoke from the fire.
Ger Curtin, a father of two who had convictions for a number of criminal offences including burglary and theft, was found dead outside the house at Sarsfield Avenue at around 5am on November 4.
A man is currently before the courts charged in connection with Mr Curtin’s death.
Videos and photos of the scene of the fire were widely shared on social media platforms this evening.
A Garda spokeswoman said this evening that Gardaí were investigating “an incident of criminal damage by fire at a house in Garryowen, Sunday 12th November”.
The Garda spokeswoman said that enquiries into the suspected arson attack were “ongoing”.
The Munster Regional Communications Centre, which handles all 999/112 emergency calls for fire and rescue in Limerick, received an alert of a fire a the house at Sarsfield Avenue at 4.50pm this evening.
Three units of Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched to the blaze and firefighters were still dampening down embers at 7pm while Gardaí maintained a watching brief.
The scene was sealed off for a Garda technical examination to determine the cause of the blaze.
Reliable sources said Gardaí suspected the fire had been started maliciously and that a petrol bomb may have been used.
A local source said windows had been smashed at the property in recent days, however Gardaí said there were no reports of criminal damage prior to this evening’s fire.
Anyone with information can contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
