Teens quizzed by Gardai over fire at historic Athlone building

Five teenagers have been interviewed by Gardai in connection with a fire which severely damaged a large part of the Our Lady's Hermitage building on the grounds of Athlone's Marist College earlier this week. 

Two units of the town's fire service attended the scene in the early hours of Tuesday morning and worked through the night to prevent the entire premises - which has a lot of Athlone history attached - being totally destroyed.

In years gone by, the Hermitage building has served as a Novitiate for the Marist order, a drug and alcohol treatment centre, and a home of the local Gaelscoil.

Four males and one female - all their early teens - were interviewed by officers in relation to the fire for a short time yesterday (Wednesday).

A file will now be prepared for the Dublin-based Juvenile Diversion Office, who will decide the next course of action.

The teens could face charges in court or a formal caution or warning from Gardai. That decision is not expected for several months.