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Another of Newry's iconic buildings has been extensively damaged in an overnight fire in what is being treated as a deliberate act. A set of keys to a van and a sum of cash was stolen.
Police were alerted to the blaze around 4.30am this morning, 28 July. The elegant three storey property at 7 Abbey Yard at the bottom of Courtney Hill is a listed building and was constructed between 1800 and 1819. It was used in the past by Newry U3A as their base.
Police remain on the scene currently and the property has been sealed off. The PSNI and are appealing for information following the incident. It follows another fire at a listed property on Merchants Quay in the city in June.
Sergeant Sherrard said: "The fire was reported to police at approximately 4:30am that a building had been set alight.
"Officers attended alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who worked to extinguish the blaze.
"Upon examination of the scene it has been established that a set of keys to a van and a sum of cash has been stolen."
The entry on the listed database explains the house was probably erected by Isaac Corry sometime after 1760 "no buildings are shown on this site (then at the bottom end of Boat St) on John Rocque’s map of this date. It is probably of late 18th or early 19th century date and is shown on the 1834 O.S. map."
The incident is being treated as arson and anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have CCTV/dash-cam or other video footage which could assist with police enquiries, is asked to contact detectives in Newry on 101, quoting reference 190 28/07/25.
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org
