GARDAÍ IN Co Offaly are investigating a “suspicious” fire at one of the county’s largest Garda stations, A Garda sergeant discovered the fire at Edenderry Garda station on St Mary’s Road when he arrived for work shortly before 9am yesterday.
Firefighters from Edenderry attended the scene a short time later and extinguished the blaze which caused considerable damage to a small downstairs office.
There was extensive smoke damage to the remainder of the building with the bottom floor worst affected. The building was unoccupied when the fire broke out.
A Garda crime scene unit examined the building as officers considered alternative accommodation arrangements on what is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year.
A Garda spokesman said it was too early to comment on the cause of the fire but “it is looking suspicious.” .
In relation to accommodation of staff, he said they may be able to use a portion of the station but “we are looking at all options”.
Edenderry Town Council chairman Jim Murrin (Independent) said: “Hopefully they will get it up and running pretty swiftly and hopefully they will get sorted.
“There is a need for the station in the town because they cover a huge area,” Mr Murrin added.
The station was cordoned off yesterday morning.
One woman who arrived to see the damage expressed concern about documents held at the station as her house had been burgled earlier this year.