Arson attack targets Islamic Cultural Centre in Ireland’s Limerick
An investigation is under way after an arson attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre in Dooradoyle, Co Limerick, in the early hours of Thursday morning
LIMERICK, Ireland (MNTV) — An investigation is under way after an arson attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre in Dooradoyle, Co Limerick, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Emergency services responded at around 1:30 a.m., with three units from Limerick Fire and Rescue Service dispatched to the scene.
Fire crews took approximately 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control before handing the site over to An Garda Síochána, the national police service of Ireland.
Police confirmed they received a report of “criminal damage by fire” at a premises in the Dooradoyle area. No injuries were reported.
The fire is believed to have started in a bathroom inside the mosque and cultural centre, which serves the local Muslim community for daily prayers and Qur’an lessons.
It is understood that a man approached the building and threw a petrol bomb through a window.
A member of the community who was present at the time raised the alarm.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Abul Kalam Azad Talukder, the first Muslim elected representative in Limerick, condemned the attack, describing it as “shocking and devastating.”
“Dooradoyle is normally very peaceful. Incidents like this are rarely heard of,” he said to local media.
“When the Muslim community hears of this attack, they feel very insecure.”
Talukder added that it remains unclear whether the incident was motivated by organized crime or racial hatred, but stressed that such behavior is not reflective of the broader Limerick community.
In the United States, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed solidarity with Muslims in Ireland, condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation.
The group urged authorities and public leaders to repudiate all attacks on houses of worship.
Irish national police said the investigations are ongoing.
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