Alleged attempted arson incident in Kildare leaves resident homeless

Kildare County Council’s housing policy has come under attack following an apparent criminal incident which damaged residential properties, leaving at least one uninhabitable, in Sallins.

It took place last week when it’s understood an attempt was made to burn down a dwelling.

Emergency services personnel were summoned to an apartment at Millbank, on the Clane side of the town, at 7pm on August 14.

A resident who was not involved in the incident but lives close by, said their  apartment was damaged.

The resident blamed the county council for providing accommodation to some people in the area.

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“My property has been damaged; I own it and I can’t live in it now. All of the electrical goods have been damaged and I can’t even breathe inside the apartment,” said the resident, who was initially left without a gas supply or electricity and who did not want to be identified.

“I am a hardworking individual and it is an absolute disgrace that this should be allowed to happen. The council houses some people but will the council help me now that I can’t live here ? I don’t think so.”

The resident claimed that several people provided with accommodation  in the area should not be living in Millbank because of illegal drug issues.

“This is how we all feel; that decent people should be living here. The council should put decent people into homes here, not those with major problems that I can’t deal with. The council has a responsibility and a duty of care to everybody - but to me too.”

The resident said people living locally have been complaining to the council since late last year but the council’s response is to tell the residents to contact the gardaí

“This is a lovely estate but people who cause problems should be in a place of their own, not among people trying to pay mortgages.”

Local councillor Bill Clear said it is “alarming that an arson attack can take place in the community and he praised the work of the emergency services.

“This could have set the entire block on fire and that could have had unthinkable consequences. I hope those responsible are caught and prosecuted,” added Cllr Clear.

A KCC spokesperson said the council does not comment on tenancy related matters. The spokesperson added: “The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. An Garda Síochaná were informed and they attended the scene whilst the fire service was in attendance.”

According to the gardaí, investigations are ongoing.

They said no injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.

Less than three months ago in an unrelated incident, a man died in an apartment fire just two miles (3.2kms) away.

A man, a South African national aged in his 40s,  died in a blaze in Naas. Three gardaí who responded to the incident, which took place in the early hours, needed medical attention. 

It happened at Oldtown Demesne, off the Sallins Road area of the town, at around 4am

It is understood the deceased lived with his elderly parents.

A building was evacuated before the fire was brought under control by units of the fire service from Naas and Newbridge.