Gardai are treating as suspicious a fire that swept through a Co Offaly second-level school yesterday.
The incident at Tullamore College resulted in up to half of the school premises suffering significant fire and smoke damage. It is understood the fire started at two separate locations in the school.
Gardai were last night awaiting the results of forensic examinations. However, they had no evidence linking the fire with an attempt to disrupt the State examinations. A spokesman said they were not following any definite line of inquiry.
The fire, reported to the Garda shortly before 3 a.m., was brought under control within two hours by units from Tullamore, Daingean and Clara.
A number of classrooms, administration offices and the school staff room were worst affected by the flames. Significant structural damage to ceilings and roofs was also reported.
Emergency examination centres for 300 Junior and Leaving Certificate students were established at short notice in the school gymnasium and a nearby youth centre. Referendum polling centres were also relocated.
The principal, Mr Edward McEvoy, assured students that their exam projects had not been damaged by the fire. He praised his staff for working since early yesterday to set up alternative exam centres.