Suspected arson damages botanic garden of Inchicore business

The garden is a habitat for biodiversity from rare butterflies to goldfinches while also providing the distillery with a significant amount of the botanicals used in their spirits

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• 11:02, 14 AUG 2023

Staff members at an Inchicore business suspect a fire in the botanical garden late last week was set intentionally.

The Stillgarden distillery community garden was significantly damaged by the blaze, which started at the garden’s bug hotel in the early hours of Friday morning, August 11. Luckily, the fire was brought under control before it had the chance to ignite nearby vehicles or the wooden fence surrounding the garden.

Stillgarden boss Viki Baird suspects the blaze was deliberate. She said: “The Stillgarden team are devastated that someone would do this. So much work has gone into our community garden, we’re just so thankful nobody was injured.”

The garden is a habitat for biodiversity from rare butterflies to goldfinches while also providing the distillery with a significant amount of the botanicals used in their spirits.

Gardener in residence Connor Howlett suspects the fire was an act of vandalism. She said: “It’s such a shame that a space that gives people in our community comfort, joy and respite has been so heartlessly vandalised. I’ve seen first-hand the effect this special place has on people and wildlife alike, so it hurts me greatly to see it damaged.

“I’m so grateful my colleagues from Rascals were there to call it in before it spread and Dublin Fire Brigade responded so swiftly. Ultimately, whilst a setback, this shows that community prevails and puts out the fires set by the few.”

Dublin Live has contacted Dublin Fire Brigade and An Garda Siochana for comment.