LIMERICK, Ireland -A hay barn fire that broke out in Cappamore, Co Limerick on Saturday night is now being treated as malicious by the Gardai.

The fire, which broke out outside a farm belonging to popular Cappamore dairy farmer and Limerick IFA rural development officer, Roger Keogh, is said to have caused a lot of damage.

After the fire broke out, Gardai launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

The Limerick Fire and Rescue Service responded to the fire incident on Saturday night after receiving a call at 10.49 pm.

According to the fire services, one water tender and two water tankers were deployed to the scene from Cappamore and the city. The fire crews reportedly foughtthe blaze until after 2 am and Gardai from the Bruff district, who arrrended the scene, launched an investigation.

After the flames were doused, the Limerick fire crews noted that the barn, which is located at Turagh was destroyed in the blaze.

Now, commenting on the fire incident, a garda spokesperson has said, It appears that it was deliberately set on fire. Gardai remained at the sceneovernight to preserve thescene until forensic examiners came from Henry Street at around 7.30am on Sunday morning. It is being looked at as if it was a malicious act.

It was revealed that the Limerick IFA rural development officer had recently bought the hay which costaround 3,000 euros.

Further, the gutted barn and lean-to cost over 40,000 euros.

Now, the Bruff gardai are appealing for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the Turagh area to contact them.