A fire causes damage to Saint Mary's Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough Street in Dublin during restoration works.
It is believed that the fire started in a confession box situated in the south east corner of the Pro-Cathedral. Cathedral administrator Father Tom Gould believes that the entire building could have been destroyed were it not for the commendable efforts of the Dublin Fire Brigade.
Dublin's Fire Brigade Units were there just seconds before the timber columns to the upper storeys went up in flames.
Two paintings of the stations of the cross, two stained-glass windows and other church furniture were destroyed in the fire. Gardaí are now on the scene investigating how the fire started.
Dr Desmond Connell describes the distress caused as a result of the fire in a cathedral that is greatly loved by the people of Dublin. However, he believes that while the damage looks bad at the moment it can be repaired. Three-quarters of a million pounds have already been spent on restoration works to the cathedral and it is yet unknown how much it will cost to repair the damage caused by the fire.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 September 1993. The reporter is Kevin MacDonald.
