Gardaí arrested three individuals this morning (Wednesday, February 19) as part of an ongoing investigation into a fire at Rathasker Stud in Naas, Co. Kildare.

The incident is believed to have occurred at approximately 5:25p.m on February 7 when a hay shed on the grounds went on fire. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene and the fire was extinguished by the fire brigade.

The three individuals are male juveniles in their mid-teens, according to gardaí. They are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in Co. Kildare.

All three have since been released without charge and referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. Investigations are ongoing.

The fire on February 7 caused €150,000 in damages, with two sheds, 600 bales, and a horse box all burned in the fire.

This was the second time that Rathasker Stud was targeted by arson attacks, and the farmer said that there have been 10 fires caused by arson within a mile radius in the last 18 months.

Gardaí are appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were driving on Rathasker Road between 4:00p.m and 5:30p.m on the evening of the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Due to ongoing issues with arson attacks, the Kildare branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) held a meeting this week (Monday, February 17) in the Keadeen Hotel where rural crime was the key discussion point.

Kildare IFA chair Denis Halpin said that many farmers are “concerned” in the area and that “there is no telling where the gang will go next”.