St Michael's Church fire, Gardai and emergency services at the scene. Photo: Fr Barry Condron. Two Catholic churches in Co. Westmeath were targeted in suspected arson attacks in the early hours of Friday, March 6.
The first incident occurred shortly before 2am at St James’ Church in Kilbeggan, where cloths soaked in diesel were placed across the front door and set alight. Parish priest Fr Brendan Corrigan responded after a smoke alarm alert and managed to extinguish the blaze using a fire extinguisher. Damage to the entrance area was described as significant but limited due to the quick intervention.
A second fire was started several hours later at St Michael’s Parish Church in Castletown Geoghegan, around 10 kilometres away. Local volunteer Mike Garvin discovered the fire and alerted the emergency services and parish priest Fr Barry Condron.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread through the building. Gardaí are investigating both incidents and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area to come forward.
