Main pic: Firemen damping down the charred remains of St Mary’s Church, Derrybeg. Credit: Bob Keaty.
Gardaí and the Donegal Fire Service have begun an investigation into the cause of this morning’s devastating blaze that destroyed St Mary’s Church in Derrybeg.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire shortly after 4am.
Firefighters battled the blaze through the night, however, the unique structure was completely ruined and only its steel shell remains.
Gardaí confirmed no injuries have been reported and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
“The scene is being preserved for technical examination. Enquiries are ongoing,” a garda spokesperson said.
“Gardaí assisted local fire services at the scene of a fire at a premises in Derrybeg, Co. Donegal in the early hours of this morning. A cordon was established and local diversions remain in place. There are no reports of injuries at this time.”
Earlier, The Diocesan Administrator for the Raphoe Diocese said he’s ‘heartbroken’ at last night’s devastating church fire in Derrybeg.
Read Monsignor Kevin Gillespie’s comments HERE.
Officially opened in August, 1972, the church cost £123,000 at the time.
More details to follow.
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