Arson attacks on two homes in Carlow town

GARDAÍ in Carlow are investigating whether two separate arson attacks on homes in the town are connected. Both incidents, involving the use of accelerants, happened in the early hours of Monday morning.

At 2.15am, two males smashed the front window of a house in John Sweeney Park and threw what appears to be an accelerant into the property, setting fire to furniture inside the window. On hearing the commotions, the householder managed to extinguish the fire and all residents were evacuated safely.

Both suspects were dressed in dark clothing. Detectives have described the incident as “sinister” and are appealing for anybody in the John Sweeney Park area or indeed the wider Tullow Road area to contact them with any information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell cam footage.

Separately at 4.25am, a lone male entered the driveway of a house in Dolmen Gardens and poured an accelerant onto the bonnet of a parked car and set it on fire, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. The front of the property also suffered some fire damage. The suspect was wearing shorts, a white bathrobe and pink gloves, and again, detectives are appealing for information. Members of the public are asked to contact them on 059 9136620 in confidence.