Full story
Arrest After Talbot Street Fire
Gardaí arrested a man in his 40s after a fire at an Islamic prayer centre in Dublin on Monday that they believe was the result of an arson attack at a building on Talbot Street.
“Irish police probe suspected arson attack on mosque in Dublin Fire at Al Madinah Hall on Talbot Street under control; no injuries reported Melike Pala 29 June 2026•Update: 29 June 2026 Irish police have launched an investigation into a suspected arson attack on an Islamic prayer hall in central Dublin, broadcaster RTE reported on Monday”
The Irish Times said the blaze broke out at the Talbot Street premises, with parts of Dublin’s north inner city closed to traffic and Luas services suspended in the area, while Gardaí arrived and attempted to use fire extinguishers as a large plume of smoke could be seen coming from the building.
Dublin Fire Brigade said it had been alerted to the blaze by calls from members of the public at about 3.40pm, and four fire engines carrying over 20 emergency responders arrived at the scene.
An Garda Síochána said in a statement that it was investigating an “incident of criminal damage by fire” at the Talbot Street premises, and it said it had received no reports of injuries.
The building houses the Al-Madinah prayer hall, an Islamic prayer centre and gathering place, and the scene was sealed off and due to undergo a technical examination to determine the cause of the fire.
Investigation and Public Appeals
Gardaí opened a criminal investigation and said they were gathering CCTV footage from the area while keeping an open mind as to the cause, but they had not linked the fire to far right or racist motives.
The Irish Times reported that on Monday night Gardaí said they had arrested a man in his 40s who was being detained at a Garda station in the north city area under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
In a separate account, the Irish Mirror quoted a Garda spokesperson saying: "Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances around an incident of criminal damage by fire at a premises on Talbot Street Dublin 1, this afternoon, Monday, 29 June 2026."
The Irish Mirror also quoted the spokesperson saying: "A male (aged in his 40's) was arrested in connection with the investigation, and is currently detained at a Garda Station in the Dublin North City area pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984."
Both outlets described Gardaí appealing for witnesses or anyone with information, including video footage such as dash-cam, from Talbot Street between 3.00pm and 4.00pm on Monday, 29 June 2026.
Traffic Disruption and Community Response
The fire caused significant traffic disruption in Dublin city centre, with the Irish Times saying the area was closed from Gardener Street to Marlborough Street with Gardaí stationed at either end and that green line Luas services were suspended for a time before resuming once the blaze was brought under control.
“Mon, 29 Jun, 2026 - 20:25 Gardaí launch investigation following fire at Islamic prayer hall No injuries have been reported”
The Journal reported that the Department of Education evacuated its office on Marlborough Street, which is several hundreds of metres from the location of the fire, earlier today as a precaution.
The Journal also quoted Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri of the Irish Muslim Council saying: "Our thoughts are with the congregation and all those affected by this appalling act."
In the same report, Al-Qadri called on Gardaí to conduct “a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” while the fire brigade said the cause of fire “will be determined by gardaí following their investigation”.
RTE.ie said no one was injured and that three people were evacuated from the building, and it added that the building was sealed as a crime scene for forensic examination while Gardaí gathered CCTV footage, carried out interviews, and appealed for witnesses.
