Two held after suspected arson attack on Sligo head shop
Two men were being questioned today after a third so-called “head shop” was hit by fire.
Firemen were called to the Yutopia store on Connolly Street in Sligo at around 12.30am this morning.
Extensive smoke damage was caused to the town centre premises, which is also an adult shop.
Hours later the men, aged 21 and 31, were arrested and taken to Sligo Garda Station.
The fire is the latest in a series of incidents at head shops, which have caused controversy for their sale of legal highs.
The Yutopia blaze comes the day after two viable improvised explosive devices were discovered outside head shops in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Last month, two separate Dublin head shops were set ablaze in suspected arson attacks.
The Nirvana store in Capel Street was destroyed after flames ripped through the premises on February 12. Authorities were forced to order the demolition of the building for safety reasons in the wake of the fire.
Four days later, attackers walked into the Happy Hippy store on nearby North Frederick Street, doused the place in petrol and set fire to it. The blaze was quickly brought under control and caused only minor damage to the front of the shop.
The Sligo store was cordoned off as gardaí conducted a forensic examination.
The two arrested men can be held for up to 24 hours under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
