BISHOP OF LIMERICK Brendan Leahy has condemned yesterday’s “shocking and worrying” arson attack on the city’s mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre.

One muslim man had a lucky escape after the building in Dooradoyle was petrol bombed in the early hours of the morning.

The attack caused internal damage at the building, and sparked fear throughout the local Islamic community.

Expressing his solidarity with the Muslim community, Bishop Leahy said in a statement today that the incident is a “wake-up call”.

He said that the community must work to promote good relations and peace “in a world that is increasingly fractured and polarised”.

“A central tenet of the Christian faith is to love your neighbour as yourself,” said Bishop Leahy.

“None of us would want to be the subject of racial or other forms of hatred. We would want our homes and our places of worship respected. We would want to live in peace.”

He added that such an attack is “uncommon” in Limerick and “not supported by the vast majority of people”.

“No matter what our creed or religious belonging, we are all brothers and sisters, children of the one God,” he said.

First attack of its kind

The fire began inside the place of worship at around 1.15am. A member of the mosque, who was in the building at the time, was left shocked but physically unhurt.

They were alerted by a fire alarm sounding in the building and they contacted the emergency services.

Firefighters attached to Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service responded at the scene and ensured the blaze was put out.

Local businessman Aamer Khan, who is a regular attendee at the mosque, yesterday told The Journal that it was the first attack of its kind on the mosque, which he said was established many years ago.

“We are in a process of repairing the place. It’s the first time something like this has happened, we did have break-ins before, but that was not an attack like this,” said Khan.

“It looks like somebody was trying to burn it down, an arson attack is not common. In my 26 years here (in Limerick), it is the first time I ever saw it.

“I never thought that something like this would ever happen. But now incidents like this could happen, there are individuals who will do something like this.

“What we will do is take precautions, and the gardaí will do their job, and I am pretty much sure the system will eventually find the guy and make him an example so that this thing doesn’t become a routine.”

Anyone with information can contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061-214340.