Gardaí investigating fire at Kilbeggan church

Gardaí are conducting investigations into two fires that took place on Thursday night at Kilbeggan and Castletown Geoghegan parish churches.

Gardaí and emergency services attended a scene of criminal damage by fire at a premises in Castletown Geoghegan, Westmeath on Friday March 6.

A statement from the Garda Press Office outlined details of the incident: “Gardaí were alerted to the incident at approximately 4:30am. No injuries were reported. The scene is being preserved for a technical examination. Investigations are ongoing.”

In the second incident Gardaí attended a scene of criminal damage by fire at a premises in Kilbeggan, Westmeath in the early hours of Friday, March 6, 2026. The Garda Press Office said there were no injuries reported from the fire.

Cllr Liam McDaniel said little is known about the nature of the fires: “There was fire damage through the church in Castletown Geoghegan, and the door of the church was damaged. The fire services were called to it.

“Coincidentally there was also a fire at the door of the church in Kilbeggan. The fire service was called to Castletown Geoghegan, I believe the local priest dealt with the Kilbeggan blaze himself, and the fire services weren't called there,” Cllr McDaniel said.

The local elected representative said details of the incidents were still being investigated: “It's an awful thing to happen, we don't know any details but if it is vandalism the Gardaí will surely be investigating it.”