A Co Monaghan theatre was targeted and extensive damage caused to its windows and interior early yesterday morning after the production of an adult play during the Castleblayney annual drama festival.
Apart from several thousand euro worth of damage at the Iontas Theatre at Bree, on the outskirts of the town, some criminal damage was caused to vehicles parked in the area.
According to gardaí, the premises was attacked in the early hours of the morning.
The incident happened following the presentation of the final play of the festival, The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer, described as an adult production unsuitable for children under 16, by the Silken Thomas Players, from Kildare.
The play focuses on some of the paranoia and hysteria which arose in the early days of the Aids epidemic in New York.
A Garda spokesman said yesterday that one man, a foreign national, has been detained for questioning in connection with the damage caused at the theatre.
He said a file is being prepared, and the man is likely to appear in court later this week.
The spokesman added: "We cannot comment on whether there is any link between the nature of the drama festival presentation and the criminal damage which took place. The damage was quite extensive and our investigations are continuing."
The Iontas Theatre was built as a community venture in the area and this year's drama festival also attracted groups from around the country.