An elusive arsonist believed to be responsible for malicious fires in the Kilkenny area.
Gardaí believe that a number of fires that have broken out in the Kilkenny area were deliberately started.
Twelve fire outbreaks in the past three weeks have made firebug a household word here.
Gardaí have made an appeal to farmers in the Kilkenny area not to leave their homes unguarded.
Captain Hugh Corrigan, Fire Chief for Kilkenny, says that in five cases there is evidence that the fires were started deliberately. All the fires have been within a radius of five miles of Kilkenny city. In eleven cases, nobody was at home when the blazes broke out. Captain Hugh Corrigan outlines a number of measures being taken to prevent further fires. These include keeping the city lights on all night, Garda patrols of the city and surrounding areas, and watchmen being placed on duty at all local factories. He appeals to the public to come forward with any information they may have about any suspicious activity, no matter how trivial it may seem. Gardaí believe that the number and proximity of the fires is no coincidence.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 September 1969.
