GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING after a pharmacy in Oldcastle, Co Meath was targeted in a suspected arson attack. 

The incident of alleged criminal damage occurred at around 12.30 am. 

McQuaid’s pharmacy has sustained significant damage, with the exterior of the building appearing burnt out. 

Gardaí and firefighters attended the scene last night. 

It’s understood that CCTV footage has now been obtained by investigating gardaí, and that gardaí have found signs of an accelerant having potentially been used in the course of the incident.

This morning locals have been posting their support for the business and its owner. 

Sinn Féin TD Johnny Guirke condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the “arson attack that took place in Oldcastle of Co Meath last night”. 

“This cowardly act has no place in our town and must be unequivocally rejected by everyone who lives in Oldcastle.

“Those who carried out this attack should be ashamed of themselves. By last night’s arson attack on our town’s pharmacy, they have not only endangered the lives of residents of neighbouring properties but have also deprived the owner and dedicated staff of their livelihoods with just a week before Christmas,” he said. 

Guirke told The Journal that multiple people live in above shop apartments on the street, and that it easily could have been the case that multiple properties would have caught fire bad the blaze taken off. 

“We’re lucky that no one was injured and no one was killed, these are old buildings,” he said.

He added that the owner of the pharmacy has worked in the community for 25 years. 

“Those who took part in last night’s attack are a disgrace to Oldcastle. I condemn in the strongest terms the spreaders of hate and the drivers of destruction who have damaged our community. What name does this give Oldcastle. It is a stain we must all reject and call out,” he added.

The Oldcastle Community Development Association said that they were “devastated and shocked by the events that happened at Donna McQuaid’s pharmacy last night”.

“Donna is an employer, a truly community minded person and an asset to Oldcastle,” they added.

The Oldcastle Co-op Creamery said that everyone in the locality woke to the “devastating news” that the pharmacy had been “destroyed in an overnight fire”. 

“The town is in complete shock that this could happen,” they added. 

Investigations into the alleged incident are ongoing.