Gardaí are treating a blaze which destroyed a former hotel in Glanmire, Co Cork, as suspicious but are awaiting the results of forensic examinations before upgrading their investigation to an arson attack.
The John Barleycorn Hotel in Riverstown, Glanmire, was boarded up earlier this summer after developer Joe Donovan bought the property with the intention of redeveloping it. He hopes to build a hotel, restaurant/bar, apartments and a shop onsite.
A fire broke out there shortly after 3pm on Sunday.
By 6pm it had destroyed the roof and caused extensive damage to the back of the hotel. The original building dated back to the 18th century, when it was a coach stop, but it was renovated extensively over the years.
Local Labour Councillor John Gilroy yesterday appealed to anyone who may have witnessed youths hanging around the premises on Sunday afternoon to come forward.
"Since it closed down the hotel has been the target of persistent vandalism of a minor nature. People are very upset about what has happened. No one would really have expected it. It is very disappointing to see it happen. It was part of Glanmire for so many years," he said
The former hotel is the subject of a contentious planning application.
The building of a new hotel onsite has been broadly welcomed but sections of the local community have expressed concern about plans to build 24 apartments on the property.
There has also been some opposition to the possibility of allowing a discount store such as Aldi or Lidl to set up shop near the site of the old hotel.
Gardaí in Glanmire yesterday appealed to members of the community who may have information on the fire to come forward. Anyone who can assist gardaí should contact Glanmire station on 021-4821002.