Gardai probe link between petrol bomb attacks
Wednesday July 28 2010
Gardai in Sligo are satisfied that petrol bomb attacks on two houses over the week-end are connected.
A house at Drinaghan, Strandhill was the subject of a petrol bomb attack at around 10.30 p. m. at Saturday night.
It is understood that the petrol bomb hit the roof of the house but did not cause any major damage.
Two men were later arrested by Gardai investigating the incident. The men were detained at Sligo Garda Station and were released on Sunday evening after questioning.
The Sligo Champion understands that Gardai are investigating a possible connection between the petrol bombing and a phone call made prior to the incident to a young man who lives at the house.
In a second incident, a house at St. Brigid's Place was also the subject of a petrol bomb attack, this time at around 3.40 a.m. on Monday. Two petrol bombs struck the front of the house but minimal damage was caused.
Again, Gardai are believed to be probing a link between a phone call made to a person shortly before the attack.
Gardai investigating the attack on the house in Strandhill conducted a search of a house in the city centre on Sunday evening but nothing of evidential value was found and no arrests were made.
In another incident, Gardai had to close off St. Joseph's Terrace when a man went on to the roof of his house in the early hours of Monday morning.
A stand-off with Gardai ensued for several hours before he was eventually talked down at around 7 a.m.
Inspector Donal Sweeney of Sligo Garda Station told The Sligo Champion that Gardai were following a definite line of enquiry and that the incidents were connected.
He appealed for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at St. Brigid's Place on July 26th at 3.40 a.m. or at Drinaghan at 10.30 p.m. on the 24th to contact the Gardai.
In an unconnected matter in the early hours of Sunday morning, an ice cream van was burned at Devins Drive, Cranmore. Gardai are not linking it to other incidents over the week-end.
- PAUL DEERING
