Gardaí say that foul play has been ruled out as a potential cause of the devastating Derrybeg Church fire.
The tight-knit community in West Donegal was shaken by the sudden blaze, which began in the early hours of Easter Monday.
The cause of the fire has been subject to much rumour and speculation on social media in the aftermath – with only the steel support beams of St Mary’s Church left standing in the wake of the fire.
However, investigating Gardaí have confirmed to Donegal Daily this evening that foul play has been ruled out as the cause of the blaze at this time.
In a short statement, Gardaí said that: “Following initial assessments and a technical examination, foul play has been ruled out at this time.”
No further details as to any other probable causes of the fire were given by Gardaí.
Gargantuan fundraising efforts have been made in the week following the fire, which at the time have raised over €118,000 for the reconstruction of the church.
At the weekend, some of Donegal’s biggest music superstars also gathered for a special fundraising gig in aid of rebuilding St Mary’s.
Daniel O’Donnell was amongst those who took to the stage for the star-studded gig in Crolly.
He said that he was “…saddened for what happened in Gweedore,” but that “out of the ashes great things grow, and I know that you’ll rebuild and you’ll have a place that you’ll gather (in) again.”
