By Paula Burns
paula.burns@kildarepost.com

Units from the Kildare Fire Service were called to a blaze in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the Emigrant Bar in Athy.

At 4.30am, four units from local fire service’s responded quickly to a call alerting them to the blaze.

It appears that the fire was caused by a deliberate attack. According to owner of the bar Mr. Mark Redmond a window at the back of the pub was broken and the curtains were set alight. 

“This attack will not affect business. As I am talking to you now I have people at the bar cleaning up and I am determined to have business as usual by the weekend,” Mr. Redmond told the Kildare Post yesterday.

Gardai at Athy believe this to an unprovoked attack as there had been no recent threats made to staff or the owners of the popular pub.

Gardai are following a definite line of enquiry following video footage recovered at the scene revealed a clear image of the man involved in the incident. There will be an ongoing investigation but Gardai are confident the culprit will be caught in due course.
A window was also broken at a neighbouring pub, The Castle Inn in Athy.

Gardai are appealing for any passing motorists or anybody who may have relevant information to the investigation to contact the Gardai at Athy at 059 8631669 or their local Garda Station.