Devastating arson attack leaves three cars burnt out in quiet Galway housing estate

Gardai have launched an investigation after the early morning incident that occurred in the Garrán Árd estate in Doughishka in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The images show the extent of the damage done in the estate with melted tarmac and scorched trees surrounding the burnt areas where the cars had been parked.

The pictures were taken by councillor Alan Cheevers who said local residents had been left “worried, shocked and scared” in the wake of the terrifying incident.

“Basically there were three cars burnt out” he told sundayworld.com. "It’s very serious. The cars belonged to the residents of the adjoining properties.

"They have been left very worried, shocked and scared. It happened at 2am so everyone was in bed. They then woke up to these engulfing flames outside their windows.

"And there has been a fair bit of damage done as well, Cllr Cheevers added. "The flames spread right across the footpath path. Although It could have been lot worse.

Cllr Cheevers revealed that there had been spate of arson attacks in Galway city over a period of the last six months.

There was a similar incident in the same estate last January when a car was burnt out. There was another last year when two properties were attacked nearby.

"I’ve raised the matter with the Garda superintendent for the area I represent, East Galway, and to be fair the gardai have done all they can with extra patrols and resources for the area, to monitor the situation as best they can.

"But this situation, where someone has come along and set three cars on fire, you can’t account for that.

The gardai are doing a live investigation and have brought the cars away for a forensic examination. So we’ll see what comes out of that.”

A statement from An Garda Siochana confirmed they are investigating the incident.

"Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at Garran Ard, Doughiska, County Galway at approximately 2am on Monday 10th of May 2022," it reads.

"A number of vehicles were damaged during this incident.

"No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing."