Gardai are examining a ‘fire flash’ which was seen on CCTV footage downloaded as part of the investigation into the devastating fire in Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze which completely gutted St Mary’s Church in Derrybeg in the early hours of Monday morning last.
CCTV has been harvested from numerous nearby buildings in a bid to build up a picture of what may have caused the blaze.
The footage is also being studied closely to examine any vehicles of persons who may have been in the area at the time of the blaze which started around 4am.
One aspect of the footage is the discovery of a ‘fire flash’ in the very early stages of the blaze.
A Garda source said investigators are trying to determine if this was the cause of the blaze or if this was as a consequence of a fire which had already started in the building.
Once established, the blaze quickly took hold of the building and was hastened by the vast wooden paneling which made up the ceiling of the church building.
Fire crews from five different stations fought the blaze throughout the night but the building was left a shell.
The road leading to the church remains cordoned off by Gardai as investigations continue.
When asked for an update on their investigation into the fire, a spokesperson for the Garda Press Office said: “Gardaí assisted local fire services at the scene of a fire at a premises in Doirí Beaga (Derrybeg), Co. Donegal shortly after 4am on Monday 21st April, 2025.
“A cordon was established and a number of nearby properties were evacuated while the fire was brought under control. There were no injuries. The scene has been preserved for technical examination.”
Meanwhile, fundraising efforts to help rebuild the church are gathering momentum.
Daniel O’Donnell, Clannad’s Moya Brennan and Altan’s Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh have vowed to play at a concert this Saturday night at Teach Phaídí Óig in Crolly to help raise funds.
A Go Fund Me page set up earlier this week has amassed more than €57,000 in pledges.
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