Gardai are investigating the burning of an Esat Digifone mobile phone mast which was attached to an ESB pylon near Hollywood in west Wicklow.
The generator, the building housing equipment and the drum that is attached to the pylon itself were reported to be damaged.
There has been controversy in the area over the mast. According to local county councillor, Mr Tommy Cullen, Digifone applied for planning permission. There were objections but the mast was built, attached to the pylon.
Mr Cullen said the company had claimed no planning permission was necessary at it was attached to the pylon.
He said there were 20 applications with Wicklow County Council at present for mobile phone masts. If all these applications were withdrawn and the masts attached to ESB pylons then Digifone was withdrawing itself from the planning process, giving local people no say in the decision.
Mr Cullen said while he was opposed to burning the masts he believed Digifone was building its masts near areas of population to save money. If the masts were in more remote areas the company might have to build roads to gain access to service the equipment.
He said he planned to seek support from council members for a special meeting to look at the planning implications involved.