Arson attack targets wrong home  for a second time in five weeks

Arson attack targets wrong home for a second time in five weeks

By Maurice Garvey

A FAMILY were lucky to escape a pre-Christmas arson attack on their home, and have appealed for the perpetrators to understand they “targeted the wrong home for a second time.”

Derek Carroll was asleep when he received a call from a neighbour at 5am on December 23, urging him to evacuate his bungalow at Dunmore Park in Kingswood.

Carroll arson attack 5 29 December 2016

His car had been set on fire in the driveway, and only a quick response from Dublin Fire Brigade prevented the flames destroying the house, which was badly damaged in the attack.

“I’ve no doubt in my mind, we could have been looking at fatalities if it wasn’t for Dublin Fire Brigade,” said Derek, whose daughter was also at home asleep in the front bedroom when the blaze started outside.

Carroll arson attack 1 29 December 2016

Bizarrely, it was the second time in five weeks that Derek’s home was targeted.

The Echo understands vehicles have been set alight at three separate homes in the estate over the last five months.

The first incident at Mr Carroll’s occurred on November 5, when oil was poured over bricks on the house, on two cars and on the driveway.

Carroll arson attack 2 29 December 2016

Derek (53) believes his house was mistakenly targeted for that of another resident, who owes money for a drug debt.
He said a note was left on his window after the recent arson attack, warning someone who doesn’t live in his house, to “pay a bill.”

Derek said: “This is the third house in the estate to have a vehicle burnt out since July. All three houses are bungalows at the end of a road with a garage on the side.

“The fear is it could happen again. There is nobody of the name in the note living in this home. I want to let as many people as possible know that they are targeting the wrong house. I work, my daughter is an accountant, we have nothing to do with drugs.”

He continued: “The car was towed away, I’m hoping the insurance company give something back of similar value. I couldn’t get a rent-a-car because they said malicious damage doesn’t qualify for that.

Carroll arson attack 4 29 December 2016

“The fosset and facial board are damaged, the windows at the front of the house are blistered and bubbled and need to be replaced. The driveway is cracked. I tried to remove the waste oil on the bricks with a chemical pressuriser a number of times but can’t remove it. For this to happen the day before Christmas Eve, it ruined the holiday.”

Kingwood Heights resident Kieron McGrath, was also the victim of an arson attack on November 20 – when his son’s van was torched in a similar manner.

Kieron said: “I’ve absolutely no idea why it happened but I’m not too impressed that some fecker came along and threw petrol at my son’s van.”

Meanwhile, A tow truck and car was set on fire outside another home in the estate last July.

Clondalkin Garda Station are investigating the recent incidents, with CCTV footage at Mr Carroll’s home, showing a young male pouring petrol down the vents of the car and setting it alight.

Anyone with information, is urged to contact Clondalkin Garda Station at 6667600.

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