HQ reopening a ‘really immense and proud moment for us all’

The presentation of long service medals to 15 Meath Civil Defence volunteers and ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of the Moat House HQ on Saturday was a “really immense and proud moment for us all,” after a difficult year, according to Civil Defence Officer, Shane Quinn.

On 21st December 2025, the Meath Civil Defence HQ at Moat View House, Mullaghboy Industrial Estate in Navan suffered extensive damage from a fire.

There were no injuries from the fire and, thanks to the actions of Meath Fire and Rescue Service, it was largely confined to the vehicle bay. However, several vehicles and a significant amount of equipment were lost in the fire.

Mr Quinn was at home that Saturday afternoon and was just starting into a fortnight break, something he had never done before over the Christmas period, when his work phone rang. It was the fire alarm company to say the fire alarm had gone off in the building.

“We had four volunteers coming back from a duty in Navan that day.

They arrived in the building, I was on the phone to them and they confirmed there was a fire in the building. The Fire Service was activated. Thankfully, nobody was injured.

“Then on the morning of the 22nd December when the Gardai handed the premises back to us we were joined by two forensic investigators who began looking into how the fire actually happened.

“Our facilities manager and some of his contractors came in and secured the building as quickly as possible to make the scene safe over the Christmas, and that nobody could get in. We had security on site all over the Christmas as well. Forensic investigation had gone well into January, and it was end of April, beginning of May, before builders actually could start the repair works.”

It transpired that equipment chargers had caught fire causing the blaze.

“Within six months of getting the go-ahead, the contractors left the building finished, and here we are today, on the 3rd of October, with the building finished well within that timeline, as promised.”

Shane paid tribute to the Navan community and other Civil Defence units from across the country who supported and assisted the Meath branch during the difficult few months during which all operations were maintained.

“This week, actually, we start back training on Monday nights. Our Trim and east Meath units start training Monday night, and then on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday the rest of our units start back training as well. On the 27th of October, we're having a recruitment evening here in Moat View House in Navan, anyone who's interested in joining us can tag along to that.”

Shane says Meath Civil Defence is facing into a busy year which will include four Slane concerts. “We'll be assisting the medical services in covering that, with water safety cover on the river, and also provide assistance with safety within the business and on the bridge.”