LAST UPDATE | 29 Jun

GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING an incident of criminal damage after a fire broke out at an Islamic prayer hall in Dublin city.

A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation, and is currently detained at a garda station in the Dublin North City area under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The fire occurred at the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street this afternoon.

There was a significant emergency response on city centre street, with multiple garda and Dublin Fire Brigade vehicles at the scene.

A garda spokesperson said no injuries have been reported.

The fire brigade said it received multiple calls for a fire in a premises on Talbot Street shortly after 3.40pm today.

The Department of Education evacuated its office on Marlborough Street, which is several hundreds of metres from the location of the fire, earlier today as a precaution.

The department is liaising with the relevant authorities, a spokesperson said.

Four fire engines carrying over 20 emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, a spokesperson said. 

“Smoke was reported to be issuing from the building, and a full evacuation of the premises took place. Firefighting operations are ongoing,” the fire brigade said. 

Gardaí and ESB Networks also responded to the incident and traffic restrictions are in place.

Damage done to the Al-Madinah Prayer Hall on Talbot Street, Dublin. Sasko Lazarov Sasko Lazarov

The fire brigade spokesperson said the cause of fire “will be determined by gardaí following their investigation”.

Green Line Luas services were suspended for a time this afternoon and are now back in operation with delays, the tram company said. 

People gather outside the prayer hall on Talbot Street after the fire. Sasko Lazarov Sasko Lazarov

Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri of the Irish Muslim Council said:

“Our thoughts are with the congregation and all those affected by this appalling act. Every person must be able to attend their place of worship without fear, intimidation or violence.”

Al-Qadri also called on gardaí to conduct “a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice”.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on (01) 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

Additional reporting by Emma Hickey and Sophie Finn