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Man arrested after arson attack on Islamic prayer hall

Bairbre Holmes/PA Wire Two gardai officers dressed in uniform standing on the street outside a shop and coffee shop where the damage caused by the fire to the prayer hall can be seen. the area is cordoned off.Bairbre Holmes/PA Wire
It happened at the Al Madinah Hall on Talbot Street at about 15:35 local time on Monday

A man in his 40s has been arrested after a suspected arson attack at an Islamic prayer hall in Dublin.

It happened at the Al Madinah Hall on Talbot Street at about 15:35 local time on Monday.

No one was injured.

The man arrested in connection with the investigation is being detained at a police station in the Dublin north city area.

A gardaí (Irish police) investigation into the blaze is ongoing.

The fire, which caused damage to the property, was extinguished by the Dublin Fire Brigade.

Bairbre Holmes/PA Wire Damage caused to the front of a building on the street.Bairbre Holmes/PA Wire
A gardaí investigation into the blaze is ongoing

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported that gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry and do not believe the attack is linked to racist or far-right elements.

The Irish Muslim Council described the attack as a "a deeply disturbing assault on a place of worship and an attack on the fundamental values of peace, religious freedom and community safety that Ireland holds dear".

"We will not be intimidated by those who seek to divide our communities through fear and hatred," chairperson Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri added.

"We remain committed to working with people of all faiths and backgrounds to uphold the values of mutual respect, justice and peaceful coexistence."

Gardaí have appealed to anyone with information or footage to come forward.