Two Athlone buildings sustain fire damage

Gardai are investigating the setting alight of rubbish bins, which caused damage to two properties in the centre of Athlone last night.

Poppy Fields Restaurant, on Payne's Lane, and an adjoining building, which houses the Legal Aid Board, sustained damage in the incident.

The blaze from the bins, at the rear of the premises, caused some damage to the exterior of Poppy Fields, and some minor damage to the eaves of the adjoining building.

Athlone Fire Service attended the blaze at 10.50pm on Saturday night and left the area shortly after 12.30am.

Gardai are seeking any witnesses. The incident is being investigated, it's understood, as criminal damage .