A MAN IN his 30s has been arrested in connection with two arson attacks on a vacant house in Leixlip that occurred almost two years ago.

The man, who is the second person to be arrested as part of the garda investigation into the incident, was arrested this morning. He is currently detained at a garda station in Co Kildare.

The two arson attacks occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 30 January and Wednesday, 7 February in 2024.

It is understood the January fire was smaller, while the one the following week caused serious damage.

The vacant building had been the subject of “a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building”, gardaí said at the time of the incidents, as it was purported online that the building was to be used to house international protection applicants.

In the aftermath of the attacks, a spokesperson for the Department of Integration clarified that the house was “not under consideration for use by the Department”.

No one was injured in the two incidents but the property suffered extensive damage.