Gardai appeal for witnesses in relation to arson attack on prison officer's home in Trim

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to an “extremely sinister” arson attack on a prison officer’s home in Trim on Monday.

The incident happened in the Effernock area of Trim on Monday, July 29th at around 11.30pm. No injuries were reported at the time.

Later, a vehicle was found set alight at a nearby location in Maudlin Vale with the driver having left the scene. The scene of the original fire was preserved and a technical examination was carried out.

Earlier this week, the Prison Officers' Association (POA) confirmed that a petrol bomb was thrown through the front window of the officer's home.

It it understood that the officer is involved in an operational and intelligence unit, which targets organised crime in the prisons.

Gardaí suspect the arson attack could be connected to the man's work in the prisons.

The incident has been described as “extremely sinister in nature” by the Prison Officers Association.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them. A Garda spokesperson said:

"Any person, including road users and pedestrians, who were in the vicinity of the Effernock and Maudlin Vale areas of Trim, Co Meath, between 10.30pm and 12 midnight on Monday 29th July 2024, and who observed any unusual activity, is asked to contact investigating Gardai.

"Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) are asked to make this available to Gardai. Gardai are also appealing for any information on any person with unexplained burns to the hands or who has presented for any medical advice or treatment for burns to their hands since the night of Monday 29th July.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Trim Garda Station 046 948 1540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."

The POA said it “utterly condemned” the attack, adding that it could have led to a loss of life.

POA deputy general secretary Gabriel Keaveney said: “We have no doubt that this horrific attack related to the prison officer’s work.

“We now call on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that prison officers and their families are safe in their own homes.

“The Government have a responsibility for the safety and security to its employees.”

Mr Keaveney told RTE news on Tuesday that Minister for Justice Helen McEntee needed to address "chronic overcrowding" in prisons and the "huge levels of drugs and violence" ongoing in the prisons.

He added that three separate requests that been sent in a bid to meet with the minister but all attempts had failed to set up a meeting.

"We just can't sit on our laurels in relation to this, this is a huge issue," he added.

"You see huge deliveries of drugs by drones into prisons and then we see prison officers being targeted for their job, it is just shocking."

The POA is also seeking an urgent meeting with the director of the Prison Service to discuss the incident, saying similar attacks have happened in the past.

The group said it will be offering continued support to the prison officer and his family as they deal with “this shocking ordeal”.

The Irish Prison Service said any act of violence against a prison officer is “unacceptable”.

In a statement, it said: “Any criminal act carried out within our prisons, including assaults or threats on a staff member, are reported to An Garda Síochána for investigation and prosecution.

“Staff who are subject to an assault or threat in our prisons are given the necessary supports through the employee assistance programme.”

It said it engages with An Garda Síochána with regard to the reporting of any possible criminal act and this happens at both local and national level.

It added: “The Irish Prison Service continues to work with An Garda Síochána on a number of joint actions to target criminal gangs.”