
House destroyed by fire following explosion in Roscommon
Emergency services
are at the scene of a house fire in
Co Roscommon
caused by a large explosion.
Residents in The Oaks estate in Frenchpark are said to have heard a loud bang at about 7.10pm.
Footage on social media appears to show the house almost completely destroyed by fire, with its roof caved in.
It is unclear whether anybody was in the house at the time of the fire.
READ MORE
Gardaí
said they were made aware of the incident at 7.15pm and remain on site. Investigations are ongoing.
The estate was build in 2004 and consists of approximately 50 houses and a number of apartments.
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Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
House destroyed by fire following explosion in Roscommon
Emergency services are at the scene of a house fire in Co Roscommon caused by a large explosion. Residents in The Oaks estate in Frenchpark are said to have heard a loud bang at about 7.10pm. Footage on social media appears to show the house almost completely destroyed by fire, with its roof caved in. It is unclear whether anybody was in the house at the time of the fire. READ MORE Gardaí said they were made aware of the incident at 7.15pm and remain on site. Investigations are ongoing. The estate was build in 2004 and consists of approximately 50 houses and a number of apartments.


Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
Former wife of garda ‘lost everything' after he carried out ‘protracted assault' on her
A garda who carried out a 'protracted assault' on his then wife, who was also a member of the force, is to be sentenced later at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Trevor Bolger (48), who was previously attached to Ballymun Garda station, pleaded guilty to assaulting Margaret Loftus on October 25th, 2012. Ms Loftus read a victim impact statement to the court in which she described the effects the 'protracted assault' had on her. She said Bolger violently assaulted her that night. 'I lost everything,' she said. READ MORE She said she had a strong sense of truth and justice. 'After this assault it also impacted personal relationships I had within the guards – there was a stigma attached to me, for standing up for myself.' She said it was 'used against me while I tried to seek justice for myself' and was as 'damaging as the assault itself'. Ms Loftus also thanked the members of the Garda who investigated the case. 'It has taken 13 years of my life to get to where we are today but truth and justice must prevail,' she added. 'Trevor Bolger, you have done your level best to destroy me ... every day you have broken me,' she said. 'By your own admissions here today ... you are an abuser and a perpetrator of domestic violence.' She said as a victim of domestic violence she would like to encourage others to come forward. Det Gda Rioghnach O'Sullivan told the court that in October 2012 the then couple had travelled to Balla, Co Mayo, Ms Loftus's home county, for a family event. Bolger was irate because Ms Loftus spoke to her family and did not stay by his side and he sat at the bar drinking for the night, the court was told. When they returned home to her childhood bedroom in which they were staying, he hit her in the back and grabbed her by the hair while she begged him not to hurt her. She described it as a 'protracted assault' which was 'terrifying' and she feared that if she had stayed with him she would have been killed, so ended the marriage the next day. Det Gda O'Sullivan told the court that the following afternoon 'she had her father stand beside her while she told him [Bolger] that their marriage was over'. [ Garda detective pleads guilty to assaulting his then wife, who was also an officer Opens in new window ] Bolger was interviewed voluntarily in December 2018 and twice denied he had engaged in an assault on Ms Loftus. Cathleen Noctor SC, defending, said her client had been treated for anxiety and depression and had entered a psychiatric hospital following the event. He had brought €6,000 in compensation which he handed over to the court. The court heard that Bolger remarried in 2021. A number of testimonials were before the court including one from a retired inspector. Counsel said Bolger had made a positive contribution to society over his 20-year career. She also asked the judge to have regard to his own circumstances and that his mental health difficulties are continuing. Bolger was promoted to the rank of detective and was attached to Howth Garda station in August 2018. He was suspended in December 2018 and was sent forward for trial on indictment in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Bolger has no previous convictions. Judge Martina Baxter described it as an egregious assault. She said because it is spousal abuse she was going to ask for the assistance of the Probation Service. Bolger is to be sentenced in October. She remanded him on continuing bail, noting Ms Noctor's submission that custody was harder for Bolger because of the role he had at the time and the responsibility that comes with that. The court heard the maximum penalty for the assault, under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, which is normally dealt with summarily in the District Court, is six months' imprisonment or a fine. Judge Baxter said she would disagree with Ms Noctor's assertion that the Circuit Court rarely deals with summary offences. She told Ms Noctor that there would be more weight on her submissions on the passage of time since the offence. Ms Noctor asked the court to have regard to her client's apology, his expression of remorse, and testimonials before the court including one from a retired Garda inspector, Nick Mulligan, who Ms Noctor said 'has known my client for the whole time he had a career in An Garda Síochána'. Judge Baxter queried whether those who had provided testimonials knew why they were asked to do so. 'I have instructions that they do all know,' said Ms Noctor.


Irish Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Fundraiser launched for martial arts school 'destroyed' in apparent arson attack
The local community has rallied around a martial arts school in Dublin city centre which was destroyed in apparent arson attack. The incident happened at the Republic of Jiu Jitsu premises on Townsend Street in Dublin 2 in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Gardaí, along with other emergency services, were dispatched to the scene after authorities received a report of a firebomb attack on a building in the area. Firefighters from Tara Street fire station quickly brought the blaze under control and made the area safe. Thankfully, no injuries were reported following the incident, however, the jiu-jitsu academy "was completely destroyed" in the blaze, according to a statement shared by the owners on Instagram. The team at Republic of Jiu Jitsu thanked Dublin Fire Brigade, "whose quick and professional response ensured the fire was contained and did not spread to the apartments above. Their swift action prevented what could have been a far more serious tragedy." Locals have now come to together to support the jiu-jitsu academy after the owners launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to help them "rebuild, recover, and return stronger than ever". "Late on Monday night, our jiu-jitsu academy — Republic of Jiu Jitsu — was completely destroyed in a shocking act of arson," a message shared on the fundraising page states. "Thankfully, the fire happened outside of business hours and no one was injured, but the damage to our gym was total. The mats, the gear, the kids' belts and medals, all completely destroyed. Even the walls, changing rooms and showers were completely wrecked. "We are heartbroken, but not beaten. Our club has always been more than just a place to train. It's a second home for kids after school, a place of confidence and discipline for teens, and a supportive environment for adults of all ages. "This gym helped people through depression, addiction, bullying, burnout — and built a community of friendship, respect, and resilience. "That can't be burned down." The owners added: "We're already back on the mats — training out of a temporary location several times per week, while we make plans to rebuild. But starting from scratch is hard. We've lost tens of thousands of euros worth of mats, equipment, and fittings. "We're asking for your help to bring our gym back — not just the physical space, but the community hub it was for so many. "Every donation, share, and message of support is helping us to rebuild, recover, and return stronger than ever. From the bottom of our hearts — thank you." Those who wish to support the fundraising campaign can visit the GoFundMe page here. Gardaí have confirmed that no arrests have been made yet in connection with the incident, but that investigations are ongoing. A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: "Gardaí attended the scene following report of an incident of criminal damage by fire at a premises on Townsend Street, Dublin 2, that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 17 June 2025. "Fire services extinguished the fire and made the area safe. No injuries were reported at the time. There have been no arrests at this time. Investigations are ongoing."