Posted by Updated / Monday, 9 Mar 2026 16:04
Midlands Correspondent
Gardaí are continuing to investigate separate arson attacks on two Catholic churches in Co Westmeath over the weekend.
Parish Priest Fr Barry Condron said the first attack took place at St James’ Church in Kilbeggan at around 2am on Friday morning.
He said cloths were laid across the front door of the church and diesel was poured over them before being set alight.
Fr Condron said a few hours later a similar fire was started at the door of St Michael’s Parish Church in Castletown Geoghegan Parish, which is located 10km away.
He said that once again cloths and diesel were used to ignite the main door of the church.
Fr Condron said the fire was discovered by local church volunteer Mike Garvin who alerted the fire service.
“Were it not for the quick actions of Mike Garvin and the subsequent intervention of the fire services, the church would have been ingulfed with fire within an estimated 10 to 15 minutes,” said Fr Condron.
Fr Condron said he was shocked to receive the call in the early hours of Friday morning adding that the shock was further compounded when members of the fire services told him the fire was deliberately started.
He added: “Thankfully the fire had been restricted to the entrance area and was extinguished just in time although there was some smoke damage to the church.
“Thankfully no one was injured or harmed in any way.”
Gardaí are continuing to investigate both incidents and appealing to anyone who may have information or have CCTV or dashcam footage to make it available to them.
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