"Landmark" House

Gardai have launched an investigation after a historic property, described as a “landmark” house, near Killeshandra was damaged by fire over the weekend.

The Gatelodge to Drumully House, near the former Holy Rosary Sisters' convent site on the outskirts of the West Cavan town was attended by fire crews in the early hours of Sunday morning last after the alarm was raised by locals shortly before 4.30am.

Fire officers from Belturbet and Killeshandra fought the blaze for four hours before the fire was brought under control.

The property is currently owned by Lakeland Dairies, who only stated that they have 'no direct awareness' of the cause of the incident which is still being investigated, and therefore could not comment further at this time.

Locals expressed shock and outrage at the incident on social media, many calling for the full extent of the law to be lain if it is established that the fire was caused as an act of vandalism.