Arson attack in Navan estate

Navan Gardai are investigating the circumstances surrounding a suspected arson attack that saw two vans and a car burned out in the Athlumney Castle estate in the early hours of Friday morning. One of the vans and the car were parked outside the home of an eastern European family who are understood to be involved in the used clothing trade. It is believed that the van was set on fire and that the blaze spread to Mercedes-Benz that was parked beside it. The fire also caused some external damage to the house. The alarm was raised at around 1.40am and it is understood that no-one was injured. Gardai are investigating whether the family’s involvement in the used clothing trade could be linked to the attack. A second van parked at a nearby house was also set on fire in the estate, at around the same time in the early hours of Friday morning. Three males were seen running away from the Ford Transit van after it was set on fire. Gardai believe the two incidents are connected and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack. Meanwhile, Gardai in Kells have warned of the dangers of fireworks and have urged parents not to buy fireworks for their children this Halloween. A spokesperson pointed out that many parents actually travel to Northen Ireland to buy fireworks for Halloween and they have warned that people who are stopped and found to have illegal fireworks in their cars are liable to have their vehicles seized. “Fireworks cause misery for many people, especially the elderly, and cause huge problems and distress for pet-owners and their animals,” a Garda spokesperson said. “There is also a huge threat of personal injury and parents need to take responsibility,” he added.