A criminal investigation has been launched following a fire at a local building which is due to house Ukrainian refugees. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at a former convent in Lanesboro at around 9 o'clock last night. There were no injuries reported in the incident while a Garda technical examination is currently underway. Longford Gardaí are now examining CCTV footage and have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
Local Independent councillor Mark Casey said there had been no consultation with the local community regarding the use of the property. He claimed local councillors were only informed on Tuesday of the plan to house 85 Ukrainian refugees in the convent. Speaking to Shannonside News, Cllr Casey urged people to attend an information event later this month:
