Fourth arrest in local arson case

A fourth person was arrested today (Tuesday) in connection with an arson attack on a local auctioneering business last September. The incident occurred at the premises of Shine & Dunning, in Castlemaine Street, Athlone shortly before midnight on Wednesday, September 26 last. The latest person to be arrested, a man in his 40s, was detained for questioning under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act. He can be held for up to 48 hours by gardai. This is the fourth arrest in the case to date. Two weeks ago, three men were arrested but later released without charge. A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in relation to the trio. Three of the four arrested in the case hail from Dublin, with the other man from Roscommon. A local garda spokesperson said four premises in Dublin, one in Athlone and another in Roscommon were also searched recently as part of the investigation, in a joint operation between Athlone gardai and Roscommon gardai.