Arson Investigation – Trim, Co. Meath

Gardaí at Trim are investigating an incident of Arson that occurred in the Effernock Estate, Trim, Co. Meath on Monday 29th July 2024. 

At approximately 9:15PM, two vehicles, a black VW Golf and a grey Skoda Octavia, travelled in convoy, joining the M50 southbound at the Finglas junction, continuing until the N4 exit, when both vehicles exited.  They then travelled through Kilcock and Summerhill before arriving at Trim. 

Gardaí believe that shortly after 10:10pm approximately both vehicles parked in Maudlin Vale estate, Trim, when two males spend approximately one hour standing outside talking.

Later at approximately 11:20pm, the Skoda travelled to the Effernock Estate in Trim.  A brick was thrown at the front window of the house, and an attempt was made to throw a red fuel can, which had been set alight, through the window.  Some of the flames took light inside the house and the red fuel can fell to the ground outside.

The suspect Skoda subsequently left the estate at speed.  A short time later, the car was set alight in Maudlin Vale estate.  The suspects then left the estate in the Golf, turning left onto the the Trim Ring Road and then left at the roundabout in the direction of the Summerhill Road.

It was later established that the Skoda Octavia vehicle had been taken during the course of a burglary in the Walkinstown area on 15th November 2023.  It had been fitted with cloned registration plates.

Vehicle Details:

Vehicle 1:

Grey Skoda Octavia

Registration no: 181-C-3094

Cloned registration no: 181-D-56003

Vehicle 2:

Black Volkswagon Golf

Registration 04-D-56228

Garda Appeal:

• Anyone who may have seen any suspicious persons or vehicles Maudlin Vale and Effernock Estates, Trim on the night of Monday 29/07/2025 between 10:10pm and 11:35pm.
• Do you have information regarding the movements of a grey Skoda Octavia registration number 181C3094 between 15/11/2023 and 29/07/2024? The car had been subject to an Unauthorised Taking in the early hours of 15/11/2023 in the Walkinstown area of Dublin.  This vehicle was fitted with cloned plates on the night, 181-D-56003.  Do you know where this vehicle may have been stored in that time, and/or any businesses who may have sold the 181-D-56003 number plates.
• An appeal for the movements and current whereabouts of a Black VW Golf, registration number 04D56228. This vehicle had been sold on 20/07/24 and the current owners failed to register it. The vehicle had a very distinctive roof rack with the poles of same secured to the left hand side of the vehicle.
• Have you seen these vehicles travelling in convoy on the night of 29/07/2024 southbound from the M50 at Finglas, through the M50 toll, westbound on the M4, through Kilcock town, on the R158 towards Summerhill village and or in Trim town itself?
• Have you seen or are you aware of a male requiring treatment for a burn injury to his hands since 29/07/2024? Perhaps you noticed these burns on someone you know or indeed, medical personnel who may recall treating a person with such injuries.