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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
GAA club 'disgusted' after shop and scoreboard damaged in suspected arson attack
Police have launched an investigation after a west Belfast GAA club's facilities were destroyed in a suspected arson attack at the weekend. The fire, which the PSNI say was started "deliberately" at around 6.20pm on Saturday, caused "extensive damage" to the club shop, signage and a digital scoreboard at Lámh Dhearg GAC in Hannahstown, Co Antrim. Images taken during the incident show the shop engulfed in flames. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and "confirmed that the fire had been started deliberately," PSNI Inspector Dalton said in a statement. "It's absolutely unacceptable that a community organisation should be targeted in this way," he added. 'Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the club, particularly those who may have relevant dashcam or other footage, to contact us. "The number to quote is 803 13/07/25. You can also report online at , or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Lámh Dhearg said the incident happened as the club were set begin hosting their annual summer camp on the premises. 'As our club makes preparations for hosting a wide range of kids camps and championship games over the summer period our club facilities have been deliberately targeted this weekend," a club official said in a statement. "Our club shop, scoreboard and Pitch in Patrons signage board which celebrated the recent opening of our new pitch were all destroyed in a fire. 'The club has made great efforts in recent years to improve our club facilities for our members and local community and are deeply concerned by this act of vandalism at a time when our facilities are needed the most. "This event has made us more determined to make good the damage and to continue to provide the best facilities for the benefit of so many in our community.' Local councilor Arder Carson condemned those behind the "pure act of deliberate vandalism" as he urged anyone with any information in relation to the incident to contact the authorities. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week "A pure act of deliberate vandalism that fills you with despair, attacking the very organisation that provides so much for young people and the entire community," the Sinn Féin councillor said in a statement. "It has to be condemned without reservation. Lámh Dhearg supported by it members and the local community work relentlessly to provide top class facilities and services that give hope and opportunity to young and old alike. This is an attack on everyone of them. "Lighting any fire in in the open air in this weather beggars belief but this is a different level of reckless stupidity. "Anyone who has any information should bring it forward so that those responsible can be brought to account."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
PSNI in major probe over ‘absolutely unacceptable' GAA club attack as grounds suffer ‘extensive damage' in horror blaze
A MAJOR probe is underway after a GAA club in West Belfast was destroyed by a fire that was believed to be an arson attack. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating the suspected arson attack on 4 The GAA club suffered a fire on Saturday Credit: Facebook/Cllr Arder Carson 4 The electronic score board, club shop and Pitch in Patrons signage board were destroyed Credit: Facebook/Cllr Arder Carson 4 The incident happened as the club prepares to host kids' camps and games over the summer Credit: Facebook/Cllr Arder Carson It was understood that the emergency services, including the Northern Ireland The fire service colleagues confirmed that the fire appeared to have been started "deliberately". The fire reportedly destroyed the club shop, the electronic scoreboard, and the Pitch in Patrons signage board. READ MORE ON PSNI "It's absolutely unacceptable that a community organisation should be targeted in this way. "Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the club, particularly those who may have relevant dashcam or other footage, to contact us. "The number to quote is 803 13/07/25." People can also make a report online on their official PSNI website or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online. Most read in Irish News Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the club issued a statement to "Our club shop, scoreboard and Pitch in Patrons signage board which celebrated the recent opening of our new pitch were all destroyed in a fire. PSNI chief slams 'hateful and criminal behaviour' from 'far-right' 'thugs' in Belfast "The club has made great efforts in recent years to improve our club facilities for our members and local community and are deeply concerned by this act of vandalism at a time when our facilities are needed the most. "This event has made us more determined to make good the damage and to continue to provide the best facilities for the benefit of so many in our community." Despite the suspected arson attack, the 'AN ATTACK ON EVERYONE OF THEM' He said: "A pure act of deliberate vandalism that fills you with despair, attacking the very organisation that provides so much for young people and the entire community. "It has to be condemned without reservation. "Lámh Dhearg supported by it members and the local community work relentlessly to provide top class facilities and services that give hope and opportunity to young and old alike. "This is an attack on everyone of them. Lighting any fire in in the open air in this weather beggars belief but this is a different level of reckless stupidity." 4 The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed they are currently investigating Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Belfast GAA club ‘extensively damaged' during weekend arson attack
Lámh Dhearg CLG on Upper Springfield Road was targeted in an arson attack on Saturday, July 12 A fire which caused 'extensive damage' to a west Belfast GAA club over the weekend was started deliberately. Lámh Dhearg CLG on Upper Springfield Road was targeted in an arson attack on Saturday, July 12. Firefighters attended the scene shortly after the blaze began at 6.20pm and have since determined it was deliberate. . The PSNI also attended the scene. 'The fire, which we believe was started at around 6.20pm on Saturday 12th July, caused extensive damage to the club shop, signage and a digital scoreboard,' Inspector Dalton said. "It's absolutely unacceptable that a community organisation should be targeted in this way.' A Sinn Fein councillor condemned the 'reckless stupidity' of those responsible. Arder Carson also posted pictures of the incident to his Facebook page which show the shop engulfed in flames. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content "Lámh Dhearg supported by it members and the local community work relentlessly to provide top class facilities and services that give hope and opportunity to young and old alike,' he wrote. "This is an attack on everyone of them. 'Lighting any fire in in the open air in this weather beggars belief but this is a different level of reckless stupidity. 'Anyone who has any information should bring it forward so that those responsible can be brought to account.' In a statement Lámh Dhearg CLG said it was 'deeply concerned' by the attack which happened amid preparations to host a wide range of kids camps and championship games over the summer. "Our club shop, scoreboard and Pitch in Patrons signage board which celebrated the recent opening of our new pitch were all destroyed in a fire," it added. 'The club has made great efforts in recent years to improve our club facilities for our members and local community and are deeply concerned by this act of vandalism at a time when our facilities are needed the most. "This event has made us more determined to make good the damage and to continue to provide the best facilities for the benefit of so many in our community.' PSNI Inspector Dalton urged anyone with information to contact detectives. 'Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the club, particularly those who may have relevant dashcam or other footage, to contact us,' they added. "The number to quote is 803 13/07/25." Online reports can also be made, alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously here or on 0800 555 111. The fire in Hannahstown. Pic: Cllr Arder Carson News in 90 Seconds - Monday July 14th
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast GAA club ‘extensively damaged' during weekend arson attack
Lámh Dhearg CLG on Upper Springfield Road was targeted in an arson attack on Saturday, July 12. Firefighters attended the scene shortly after the blaze began at 6.20pm and have since determined it was deliberate. . The PSNI also attended the scene. 'The fire, which we believe was started at around 6.20pm on Saturday 12th July, caused extensive damage to the club shop, signage and a digital scoreboard,' Inspector Dalton said. "It's absolutely unacceptable that a community organisation should be targeted in this way.' A Sinn Fein councillor condemned the 'reckless stupidity' of those responsible. Arder Carson also posted pictures of the incident to his Facebook page which show the shop engulfed in flames. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. "Lámh Dhearg supported by it members and the local community work relentlessly to provide top class facilities and services that give hope and opportunity to young and old alike,' he wrote. "This is an attack on everyone of them. 'Lighting any fire in in the open air in this weather beggars belief but this is a different level of reckless stupidity. 'Anyone who has any information should bring it forward so that those responsible can be brought to account.' The Open at Royal Portrush: What happened in 2019? In a statement Lámh Dhearg CLG said it was 'deeply concerned' by the attack which happened amid preparations to host a wide range of kids camps and championship games over the summer. "Our club shop, scoreboard and Pitch in Patrons signage board which celebrated the recent opening of our new pitch were all destroyed in a fire," it added. 'The club has made great efforts in recent years to improve our club facilities for our members and local community and are deeply concerned by this act of vandalism at a time when our facilities are needed the most. "This event has made us more determined to make good the damage and to continue to provide the best facilities for the benefit of so many in our community.' PSNI Inspector Dalton urged anyone with information to contact detectives. 'Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the club, particularly those who may have relevant dashcam or other footage, to contact us,' they added. "The number to quote is 803 13/07/25."
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
West Belfast: Fire at GAA club started deliberately, police say
Police say a fire which destroyed facilities at a west Belfast GAA club was started deliberately.A shop, scoreboard and signage at Lámh Dhearg GAC in Hannahstown were destroyed in the attack on Saturday a statement on Monday, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Insp Dalton said the fire is believed to have been started at around 18:20 BST on Saturday. Insp Dalton said the fire caused "extensive damage". "It's absolutely unacceptable that a community organisation should be targeted in this way," he added. Belfast city councillor Arder Carson said the fire was a "blatant act of vandalism". Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Carson said: "It definitely fills you with despair and some anger that a club that does so much for the local community in terms of working diligently to provide facilities and services that give young people hope and opportunity has been subject to such an attack." He said the club was "in the heart" of preparing for its children's summer camps and the start of a new championship season. "Setting fire outdoors at any time is reckless but this level is just beyond reckless," Carson said. "On the period of dry weather we have had, to set fires in an area like that which is rural and totally green is just beyond reckless."Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
