Michelle Mulherin: Man held over fire at Mayo TD’s office

A man in his late 30s has been released after being questioned in connection with an arson attack at Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin's Mayo constituency office.

Mayo County fire service was called to the Ballina office on John Street where a small fire had broken out at about 7pm on Tuesday night.

Gardaí confirmed this morning that a man, aged 39, had been arrested in Ballina in connection with their investigation. He was later released.

In a statement released last night, Ms Mulherin said she was thankful nobody was injured.

“I’m shocked that this could happen in a democracy. It was very upsetting for myself, my staff and my family. I await the outcome of the Garda investigation and will be making no further comment at this stage.”

The fire at Ms Mulherin's office came just days after it emerged the Mayo TD made calls from Leinster House to a private phone in Kenya between 2011 costing more than €2,000.

Ms Mulherin confirmed on Tuesday night that she had paid €2,000 to the Oireachtas authorities. She said she made the calls but insisted they were not personal in nature.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he was “appalled” by the incident.