12/03/2010
Head Shop Pair Questioned
Two men were being questioned last night following a third so-called 'head shop' being hit by fire.
Firemen were called to the Yutopia store on Connolly Street in Sligo at around 12.30am on Thursday morning.
It has emerged today that extensive smoke damage was caused to the town centre premises, which is also an adult shop.
Hours later the men, aged 21 and 31, were arrested and taken to Sligo Garda Station.
The fire is the latest in a series of incidents at head shops, which have caused controversy for their sale of legal highs.
The Yutopia blaze comes the day after two viable improvised explosive devices were discovered outside head shops in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Last month, two separate Dublin head shops were set ablaze in suspected arson attacks.
The Nirvana store in Capel Street was destroyed after flames ripped through the premises on February 12. Authorities were forced to order the demolition of the building for safety reasons in the wake of the fire.
Four days later, attackers walked into the Happy Hippy store on nearby North Frederick Street, doused the place in petrol and set fire to it. The blaze was quickly brought under control and caused only minor damage to the front of the shop.
(BMcC/GK)
Firemen were called to the Yutopia store on Connolly Street in Sligo at around 12.30am on Thursday morning.
It has emerged today that extensive smoke damage was caused to the town centre premises, which is also an adult shop.
Hours later the men, aged 21 and 31, were arrested and taken to Sligo Garda Station.
The fire is the latest in a series of incidents at head shops, which have caused controversy for their sale of legal highs.
The Yutopia blaze comes the day after two viable improvised explosive devices were discovered outside head shops in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Last month, two separate Dublin head shops were set ablaze in suspected arson attacks.
The Nirvana store in Capel Street was destroyed after flames ripped through the premises on February 12. Authorities were forced to order the demolition of the building for safety reasons in the wake of the fire.
Four days later, attackers walked into the Happy Hippy store on nearby North Frederick Street, doused the place in petrol and set fire to it. The blaze was quickly brought under control and caused only minor damage to the front of the shop.
(BMcC/GK)
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12 February 2010
Head Shop Fire In Dublin City Centre
A fire has broken out at a shop on Capel Street in Dublin city centre this morning. The fire at the Nirvana Head Shop broke out this morning and the entire street is closed as a result. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Siochána are at the scene. A small number of nearby homes have been evacuated.
Head Shop Fire In Dublin City Centre
A fire has broken out at a shop on Capel Street in Dublin city centre this morning. The fire at the Nirvana Head Shop broke out this morning and the entire street is closed as a result. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Siochána are at the scene. A small number of nearby homes have been evacuated.
04 February 2010
McDaid Says Headshop Ban 'Huge Mistake'
A Fianna Fail TD has broken ranks by claiming the banning of headshops "is not the way forward". Despite a campaign by the Opposition party to ban the shops - which sell artificial highs and recreational drug substitutes - Deputy Jim McDaid said he believed that the country is "on the verge of making a huge mistake" if such shops are banned.
McDaid Says Headshop Ban 'Huge Mistake'
A Fianna Fail TD has broken ranks by claiming the banning of headshops "is not the way forward". Despite a campaign by the Opposition party to ban the shops - which sell artificial highs and recreational drug substitutes - Deputy Jim McDaid said he believed that the country is "on the verge of making a huge mistake" if such shops are banned.
15 February 2010
Head Shop Fire Turns Up €500,000
The fire at a Dublin 'head shop' last week has lead to the discovery of €500,000 in cash under the building's floorboards, it has been revealed. Gardaí said today they are treating the fire at the legal drug supplying store as arson. The fire almost completely destroyed the unit and a number of neighbouring outlets last Friday.
Head Shop Fire Turns Up €500,000
The fire at a Dublin 'head shop' last week has lead to the discovery of €500,000 in cash under the building's floorboards, it has been revealed. Gardaí said today they are treating the fire at the legal drug supplying store as arson. The fire almost completely destroyed the unit and a number of neighbouring outlets last Friday.
25 April 2012
Six Year Jail Term For IRA Extortionist
The Special Criminal Court has jailed a Dublin man who extorted more than a quarter of a million euro from a fish and chip shop owner in the city by threatening him with the Real IRA. “It is abundantly clear that this activity was ordinary criminal racketeering and terrorising ordinary innocent people,” said Mr Justice Paul Butler.
Six Year Jail Term For IRA Extortionist
The Special Criminal Court has jailed a Dublin man who extorted more than a quarter of a million euro from a fish and chip shop owner in the city by threatening him with the Real IRA. “It is abundantly clear that this activity was ordinary criminal racketeering and terrorising ordinary innocent people,” said Mr Justice Paul Butler.
29 March 2010
Army Diffuse Letterkenny 'Head Shop' Device
Bomb disposal units have defused an explosive device left outside a so-called 'head shop' in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. The device was discovered at the front door of the premises on Pearse Road shortly after 1am last night. A number of residents were forced to leave their homes as the disposal unit dealt with the device.
Army Diffuse Letterkenny 'Head Shop' Device
Bomb disposal units have defused an explosive device left outside a so-called 'head shop' in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. The device was discovered at the front door of the premises on Pearse Road shortly after 1am last night. A number of residents were forced to leave their homes as the disposal unit dealt with the device.