28/09/2009

Petrol Bomb Hits Department of Finance

An investigation has been launched after a petrol bomb was thrown at the Department of Finance in Dublin last night.

Gardaí are investigating the incident during which a flammable device was thrown through a window in the building at Merrion St around 10.50pm.

A small fire broke out and a garda who was on duty in the building attempted to extinguish the fire. He then called the fire services and five units rushed to the scene.

A spokesman at the Department of Finance said most of the damage was done to the window and its frame.

A small amount of petrol got into the room, but damage inside was minimal, he said, possibly due to the fast reaction of internal security staff who managed to extinguish the small fire.

No one was injured in the incident.

Gardaí are now carrying out a forensic examination of the room.

It is not yet known if there is CCTV evidence of the attack. A Garda spokeman would not comment on the matter, citing operational reasons.

No motive for the attack has yet been firmly established.

(DW/BMcC)

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